Systematic Review of the Role of Mohs Micrographic Surgery in the Management of Early-Stage Melanoma of the Head and Neck

Background: The role of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) in the management of melanoma of the head and neck (HNM) has been controversial. The authors systematically reviewed the local recurrence rate of melanoma in situ (MIS) and T1a melanomas using MMS compared with conventional wide local excision (WLE) and staged excision (SE).

Objective: To systematically review the local recurrence rate of early-stage melanomas of the HNM treated with MMS versus WLE or SE.

Methods and materials: A search of English medical literature was conducted through the common databases until November 26, 2019. Using PRISMA guidelines for the treatment of MIS and T1a melanoma with MMS, WLE, or SE, our search yielded a total of 32 articles.

Results: Mohs micrographic surgery has a lower local recurrence rate for early-stage melanomas over both SE and WLE {pooled recurrence risk 0.8% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.4-1.1) versus 2.5% (95% CI 1.5-3.4) versus 8.7% (95% CI 5.1-12.2) (p < .001), respectively}.

Conclusion: Mohs micrographic surgery may offer a lower recurrence rate than SE or WLE in the management of early-stage melanomas of the face or HNM. Further clinical validation in a randomized controlled trial is required.