title: A conceptual framework for navigating the superficial territories of the face: Relevant anatomic points for the dermatologic surgeon.
abstract: Recent publications in the dermatologic surgery literature have sparked a re-emergence of interest in anatomy relevant for the Mohs surgeon necessitating a re-visit of under-appreciated concepts, regarding the topography of the face and its visceral contents from a surgically relevant perspective. This paper presents a pre-operative review and a conceptual framework for intra-operative planning for Mohs micrographic surgery and reconstruction. The key concepts presented are based on a series of (1) reviews regarding clinically significant points aimed at improving outcomes for reconstructive surgery, (2) anatomical dissections of fresh frozen cadavers, and (3) surgical experience of the authors. Basic anatomical concepts have been assimilated, surgically evaluated and re-directed toward the dermatologic surgeon in the hope that improved anatomic competence will reduce surgical hesitance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Mohs and Dermasurgery Unit, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Kevin N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Christensen
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Mohs and Dermasurgery Unit, MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: Deborah F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Macfarlane
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Wojciech
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Pawlina
authors.affiliation: Department of Media Support Services, Science and Medical Visuals, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: King
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.|Department of Plastic Surgery, College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota.
authors.forename: Nirusha
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Lachman
mesh_terms: D059925:Anatomic Landmarks; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D005145:Face / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans
keywords: dermatologic surgery; face; superficial anatomy