Daily Cosmetic Research Analysis

BACKGROUND: Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), comprising basal-cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamous-cell carcinoma (cSCC), represents the most common malignancy worldwide. Surgical management remains the gold standard, yet the choice between Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) and wide local excision (WLE) continues to generate debate due to differences in recurrence, cost, and cosmetic outcomes. OBJECTIVE: To systematically compare MMS and WLE across three domains: long-term recurrence rates, cost-effectiveness, and aesthetic outcomes. METHODS: A contemporary synthesis of prospective cohorts, registries, randomized trials, and economic models was performed. Outcomes included 5-year recurrence, incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs), quality-adjusted life years (QALYs), and validated patient-reported scar assessments. RESULTS: For high-risk facial BCC and cSCC, MMS reduced 5-year recurrence to ≤ 1% compared with 3-5% after WLE (number-needed-to-treat = 28). Tissue-sparing margins yielded scars 1-2 mm narrower and 38% smaller in surface area, increasing the probability of "good/excellent" cosmesis by 12% per mm saved. Economic analyses demonstrated that, despite higher upfront procedural costs, MMS dominated WLE by saving ≈ $330 per patient and gaining 0.04 QALY over five years. Population-level adoption for intermediate-risk cSCC projected an annual payer surplus of ≈ $200 million and >25,000 QALYs. Patient-reported outcomes (POSAS, SCAR-Q, and FACE-Q) consistently favored MMS, with ≥ 90% rating scars as "good/excellent" versus 74% after WLE. CONCLUSION: MMS provides superior oncologic control, cosmetic outcomes, and cost-effectiveness compared with WLE for high-risk NMSC. Expanding MMS capacity and embedding patient-centered decision aids could optimize value-based care and deliver durable clinical and economic benefits.

As remote-access thyroidectomy (RAT) becomes more widely used, evidence on patient- reported outcomes, particularly health-related quality of life (HRQoL), remains scarce and inconsistent. This meta-analysis compared postoperative HRQoL between thyroid cancer (TC) patients undergoing RAT and open thyroidectomy (OT) and assessed changes over time. A comprehensive search of five major databases was conducted from inception to August 2025. Studies reporting HRQoL after RAT or OT were included. Outcomes were grouped by postoperative timepoints. Outcomes were stratified across distinct postoperative timepoints to calculate pooled standardized mean difference (SMD) or mean difference (MD). Heterogeneity was explored through rigorous subgroup analyses encompassing surgical modalities, countries, and assessment instruments. Forty-one studies met the inclusion criteria, and 29 records were included in the quantitative synthesis. RAT demonstrated early advantages in comprehensive quality of life at 1 month and 3 months, and these advantages dissipated long term. Pain trajectories exhibited a biphasic pattern: RAT was associated with lower pain scores on postoperative day 1 but paradoxically higher scores during the 1-2 week period, with subsequent convergence. Cosmetic satisfaction and swallowing function consistently favored RAT from 1-2 weeks through 6 months, while voice outcomes showed no discernible differences. RAT appears to confer selected short- to medium-term patient-reported advantages over OT, particularly in cosmetic satisfaction and swallowing function. But these benefits are heterogeneous and not consistently maintained across all domains or timepoints. Future studies should standardize cross-culturally validated PRO instruments and adopt harmonized follow-up intervals and reporting guidelines to clarify the patient-centered value of RAT.

Botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) injections have a well-known cosmetic outcome and safety profile in a variety of medical conditions. Recent studies have shown promising results for possible use in treating erythematotelangiectatic rosacea (ETR). This systematic review aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of BoNT-A injections in patients with ETR. A systematic search was conducted across multiple databases to identify relevant studies. Eligible articles were randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that investigated BoNT-A injections in adults diagnosed with ETR. Studies involving other rosacea subtypes, lacking a comparative group, or combining BoNT-A with other interventions without isolating its effects were excluded. Three RCTs met the inclusion criteria. Both parallel-group and split-face analyses demonstrated that BoNT-A injections significantly reduced facial erythema and flushing, resulting in improved patient satisfaction. Across all studies, BoNT-A was well-tolerated, with adverse events being mild, transient, and self-limited. However, the evidence remains limited by the small sample sizes, suboptimal study designs, and short follow-up durations. BoNT-A injections show promising efficacy and safety in the treatment of ETR. However, larger, well-designed randomized trials with longer follow-up durations are required to confirm its therapeutic role and establish standardized treatment protocols.