Mohs Surgeons' Postoperative Care Practices for Secondary Intention Healing: A National Survey

Division

West Florida

Hospital

Largo Medical Center

Document Type

Manuscript

Publication Date

3-1-2026

Keywords

Mohs micrographic surgery, antiseptics, hydrocolloid dressings, postoperative wound care, secondary intention healing, surgical site infection, timolol, topical antibiotics

Disciplines

Dermatology | Medicine and Health Sciences | Surgical Procedures, Operative | Therapeutics | Wounds and Injuries

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: This paper seeks to characterize Mohs surgeons' postoperative wound care practices for secondary intention healing (SIH) and identify trends in the use of topical agents and perceived clinical outcomes.

METHODS: A survey was distributed to American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS) members to assess demographics, practice settings, wound care preferences, and self-reported outcomes related to SIH. Fisher's exact and χ

RESULTS: Petroleum emollients were used by 96.4% of respondents. Topical antibiotics, most commonly mupirocin and gentamicin, were routinely recommended by 36.1% and were associated with higher reported infection rates (

LIMITATIONS: Low response rate and self-reported data limited generalizability. Wound location data were not stratified.

CONCLUSION: Postoperative care practices for SIH vary considerably among Mohs surgeons. Despite supporting literature, the use of advanced dressings, antiseptics, and topical timolol remains limited. These findings highlight opportunities for further research and standardization of SIH wound care.

Publisher or Conference

Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS