Advancing Mohs Micrographic Surgery Through Artificial Intelligence: A Provider’s Implementation Guide

Abstract

Integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) represents a transformative advancement in dermatological surgery, with the potential to significantly enhance surgical precision, efficiency, and patient outcomes. This review provides a comprehensive summary of AI’s current and emerging roles in MMS, focusing on its application in tumor margin identification, surgical precision, and tissue preservation. Further, it explores AI’s role in predicting tumor complexity and postoperative outcomes, emphasizing how these predictive models can be incorporated into personalized care plans and long-term patient monitoring. Practical steps for implementing AI in clinical practice are provided, focusing on the necessary infrastructure, training, and potential barriers to adoption, while considering the financial implications and potential return on investment for providers. Additionally, this review analyzes the ethical and legal considerations surrounding AI use in MMS, discussing data privacy, security, and the legal implications of AI-assisted procedures. The integration of AI in MMS holds immense promise, but its successful adoption will require careful consideration of clinical, ethical, and financial factors to ensure that this technology ultimately benefits both patients and healthcare providers.