Experts unveil Mohs appropriate use criteria

National report - Experts from four dermatology organizations have collaborated to publish the first appropriate use criteria for 270 Mohs micrographic surgery scenarios.

The Mohs criteria are the first such criteria developed for any test or treatment within the field of dermatology, Newswise reports. They outline highly specific skin cancer patient scenarios that clinicians encounter in daily clinical practice and classify the use of the procedure into one of three categories: appropriate, uncertain or inappropriate.

Nearly 80 Mohs surgeons and non-Mohs dermatologists contributed to the development of the criteria, including a 17-member ratings panel that was balanced by expertise, society representation, type of practice and geographic location, Newswise reports.

The panelists reached a consensus for all 270 scenarios, with 200 deemed as appropriate, 24 as uncertain and 46 as inappropriate, Newswise reports.

“Each clinical scenario identified in this document is crafted for the average patient and not the exception. Thus, the ultimate decision regarding the appropriateness of MMS (Mohs micrographic surgery) should be determined by the expertise and clinical experience of the physician,” the authors wrote.

The criteria were created by the American Academy of Dermatology, the American College of Mohs Surgery, the American Society for Dermatologic Surgery Association, and the American Society for Mohs Surgery.

The criteria were published in the September issues of the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology and Dermatologic Surgery.

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