Prospective Study of Wound Infections in Mohs Micrographic Surgery Using a Single Set of Instruments

BACKGROUND Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) has a low rate of surgical site infections (SSI). To date, there are variations in the measures surgeons take to prevent SSI, although these may be costly without benefit to patients. OBJECTIVE The purpose of the study was to evaluate the rate of SSI in MMS performed with a clean technique using a single set of instruments for both tumor extirpation and reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS The author prospectively evaluated 338 patients undergoing MMS using a single set of instruments for SSI. RESULTS There were 7 SSI among 332 patients, with an overall infection rate of 2.1% (7/332). Graft closures had an SSI rate of 3.1% (2/64) and flap closures had an SSI rate of 1.9% (5/268). CONCLUSION Using a single set of sterile surgical instruments for both the tumor extirpation and repair stages of MMS leads to cost savings without harming patients and maintains SSI rates within an acceptable range.