Summary
This study examined factors influencing patient satisfaction in Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) for nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and how satisfaction evolves postoperatively. In this prospective cohort study of 100 patients, satisfaction surveys were administered on the day of surgery and three months after. Sociodemographic, medical, and surgical data were analyzed using regression models to identify associations.
Key findings revealed decreased satisfaction in patients requiring three or more MMS stages, both at the time of surgery and three months later. Surgeries extending past 1:00 pm led to lower satisfaction immediately post-surgery. Satisfaction also declined over time for patients with surgical sites on extremities, larger preoperative lesions, and larger defect sizes. These results underscore that patient satisfaction with MMS is influenced by a variety of factors and changes dynamically during the postoperative period.
While the study highlights meaningful insights, limitations include single-institution data, potential selection bias, and reliance on self-reported satisfaction. Future research could address these limitations and explore interventions to improve satisfaction, particularly for patients at higher risk of dissatisfaction.