BACKGROUND The temporal branch of the facial nerve is at risk of damage during Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). This complication leads to motor deficit in the ipsilateral upper face with resultant functional and cosmetic impairment. OBJECTIVE To identify patient, tumor, and surgical risk factors associated with temporal nerve damage. MATERIALS AND METHODS A single-institution, retrospective review of MMS cases involving anatomic sites within the temporal nerve danger zone was performed. Risk factors were compared between cases with and without nerve damage. RESULTS Of 616 cases within the danger zone, 28 (4.5%) had postoperative nerve dysfunction. Variables significantly associated with dysfunction included patient immunosuppression, tumor size, aggressive tumor histology, recurrent tumors, high degree of subclinical spread, and greater average number of Mohs stages. Preoperative tumor size and postoperative defect size of $3 cm resulted in a 337 and 340 increased odds of nerve damage, respectively. Sex, age, and basal versus squamous cell carcinoma were not significantly associated with temporal nerve damage. No patients with a postoperative defect size measuring ,2 cm had nerve damage. CONCLUSION The overall risk of damage to the temporal nerve during MMS is low, but there are certain risk factors that warrant increased counseling about this potential complication.
}.Our observations suggest that COVID-19 has interrupted the skin cancer awareness campaigns that are crucial for boosting population awareness of melanoma. Although we had posited that COVID-19 disrupted a pattern of increased community engagement and thus concern for skin cancer in the warmer months, we were able to eliminate temperature-related variables as significant contributors to this observed phenomenon because search volumes in both the United States and Australia, countries that differ significantly in seasonal temperature patterns, experienced significant decreases. However, our findings are limited because Google Trends data only reflect the population with access to the internet. Regardless, it is important to be mindful of the reduction in public awareness campaigns because reduced population awareness of melanoma may lead to significant increases in the number of delayed diagnoses in the coming year.
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