Postoperative preferences in cutaneous surgery: A patient-centered investigation from an academic dermatologic surgery practice

摘要

Background: Little is known about postoperative preferences regarding dermatologic surgery. Objective: To determine patient preferences for postoperative follow-up after dermatologic surgery, desired follow-up interval, reasons for desired follow-up or lack thereof, and factors that may be associated with these preferences. Materials and methods: Patients who underwent Mohs micrographic surgery or excision within 24 months of Mohs micrographic surgery or excision were retrospectively surveyed regarding their postoperative follow-up preferences. Procedure, tumor attributes, complications, and medications were recorded. Results: Eighty-nine percent of patients considered postoperative follow-up important, with 55% opting for follow-up within 4 weeks and an additional 29.1% within 2 to 3 months. After multivariate analyses, there were no significantly associated covariates of interest regarding preference for follow-up. Reasons for desiring follow-up included to ensure the wound healed well (50%), to ensure the cancer had not returned (27.9%), and to examine the rest of the skin (18.6%). Conclusion: A majority of patients desired postoperative follow-up visits for a variety of reasons. Anticipation of postoperative concerns should be included in dermatologic surgery planning.