Patient-Reported Outcome Measures for Mohs Reconstruction: A Systematic Review.

Objective: Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) and subsequent reconstructive procedures for the treatment of facial nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) significantly impact quality of life (QoL). A validated patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) for patients who undergo Mohs reconstruction is not yet established. This study aims to systematically assess the quality of existing PROMs to determine their effectiveness in capturing the challenges faced after Mohs reconstruction for facial NMSC.

Data sources: A systematic review following established Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines was performed. Medline, PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane databases were searched using keywords relevant to MMS, NMSC, facial reconstruction, QoL, and PROMs.

Review methods: Inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to compile eligible PROMs. Methodological quality and psychometric properties of PROMs were evaluated using COnsensus-based Standards for the Selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) criteria.

Results: Of 2997 articles, 78 met the inclusion criteria. Of these, 45 studies utilized a PROM as an outcome measure, and 33 reported PROM development or validation. COSMIN assessment demonstrated that the FACE-Q Skin Cancer Module and Facial Skin Cancer Index have the strongest validation. The Mohs Reconstruction Questionnaire-12 (MRQ-12) was the only PROM specific to this population of interest; however, it has not undergone psychometric property assessment.

Conclusion: Various PROMs have been utilized to assess QoL for patients undergoing facial reconstructive surgery after MMS. A clinically validated PROM specific to this patient population is required to gain deeper insight into these emotional impacts. Further validation and psychometric testing of the MRQ-12 may be beneficial.