Influence of preoperative blood pressure on postoperative bleeding complications following Mohs micrographic surgery

Background: Hypertension is a common comorbidity in patients undergoing Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). Evidence in other surgical fields has suggested that high blood pressure increases the risk of perioperative bleeding, predisposing patients to complications such as hematomas, dehiscence, wound infection, and necrosis. Methods: We reviewed medical charts of all 530 patients who underwent MMS at our institution in one calendar year to identify whether an association exists between preoperative blood pressure and bleeding outcomes in patients undergoing MMS. Results: Perioperative variables, including history of diagnosed hypertension, preoperative systolic blood pressure >160 mm Hg, systolic blood pressure >180 mm Hg, anticoagulation/antiplatelet therapy, tumor type, and number of stages did not significantly increase the risk of overall postoperative complications, including intra- and postoperative bleeding. Conclusion: Hypertensive patients and those on anticoagulation/antiplatelet therapy are not at significantly increased risk of bleeding or other complications following MMS.