View 2019 Abstracts

To assess the advantage of performing an additional deep margin tissue excision, during one stage excision and primary closure of periocular basal cell carcinoma (BCC).

Retrospective case note review of patients who underwent one stage, excision and primary closure for periocular BCC, between 2014 and 2019.
All tissue specimens were sent for paraffin section histological examination.

A total of 340 patients underwent excision of periocular BCC, during the study period.

Twenty one cases were reported to show deep histological margin clearance of less than 0.5mm.

Nine of these patients had an additional deep tissue specimen excised during primary excision.

Twelve patients did not have an additional deep tissue excised during primary surgery and out of these 5 patients underwent a further excision of deep margin tissue.

No residual BCC was identified in any of the cases that underwent further deep margin tissue excision .

Seven patients did not undergo any further excision and were kept under observation.

Mean follow up duration was 2.6 years (range 1to 5 years). There were no recurrences noted during the follow up period.

Histological subtypes were nodular BCC in 19 cases and morphoeic in 2 cases.

Narrow histological safety margin of < 0.5mm, leads to the dilemma of whether patient should be closely observed for signs of recurrence or a further excision of the deep margin should be performed.

Hence, performing an additional deep margin tissue excision during primary excision, can avoid the need for further surgery and the need for a long term follow up.