Skin Cancer Surgery Safe on Outpatient Basis

TUESDAY, Feb. 18, 2003 (HealthDayNews) -- A common technique used to remove skin cancers is safe when done in an outpatient setting.

So says a Duke University study in the current issue of the Archives of Dermatology.

The researchers contend their finding contradicts the views of legislators and others who question the overall safety of outpatient surgeries.

The Duke study assessed the rates of complications associated with 1,343 outpatient Mohs procedures done at Duke University Medical Center during 2000. The study found that the overall complication rate was 1.64 percent -- 22 complications out of 1,343 surgeries.

That complication rate is low enough to conclude that outpatient Mohs surgery does not represent an undue risk, the study says.

Of the 22 complications identified in the study, most involved difficulties with post-operative bleeding. None of the people who experienced complications required hospitalization or consultation with another doctor.

Mohs surgery is done under local anesthesia. The technique includes surgical removal of the skin cancer along with immediate microscopic examination of the removed tissue to detect any remaining cancerous tissue.

The surgeon continues removing and studying tissue until all the cancer is removed.

More information

Here's where you can learn more about skin cancer.