The use of a curved ophthalmic blade to facilitate incising Mohs micrographic sections with the desired bevel despite anatomic obstructions.
BACKGROUND
Mohs micrographic surgery involves incising the specimen with a bevel, which allows for inversion so that the entire surgical margin may rest in the same plane. Anatomic obstructions occasionally preclude this angle of incision.


OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study is to find a curved blade that can be used for harvesting Mohs specimens when the handle of the blade can not be passed tangentially around the tumor because of anatomic obstructions.


METHODS
A Beaver Eye Blade and arthroscopic blade, both of which are curved and have two cutting edges, were used to incise Mohs specimens.


RESULTS
The ophthalmic blade was easier to use and has a better angle than the arthroscopic blade. Where the straight blade would only allow for a perpendicular or obtuse angle of incision, the Eye Blade facilitated an acute or a 90-degree angle, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The Beaver Eye Blade is a welcomed addition to the armamentarium of the Mohs surgeon for difficult-to-harvest sections, especially in the helix or internal nose.
Department of Dermatology, Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York, New York, USA.
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RM
Shelton
D020679:Arthroscopes; D004428:Ear Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D004431:Ear, External / Q000601:surgery; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D015580:Mohs Surgery / Q000295:instrumentation*; D009669:Nose Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013499:Surface Properties