Utility of Intraoperative Frozen Section for Basal Cell Carcinoma of theHead and Neck for Margin Clearance

Background: Surgical excision is the treatment of choice for basal cell carcinoma. Complete removal is the key to cure.Objective: To determine the utility of intraoperative frozen section in basal cell carcinoma surgery of high risk cases on the head and neck to achieve margin clearance.Study Design: Prospective descriptive study Place and duration of study: MH Rawalpindi, Army Medical College – February 2015 – May 2018.Methodology: All patients of high risk basal cell carcinoma, on the head and neck, undergoing excision and repair after intraoperative frozen section were included in the study. In addition to demographic profile of the patient, site and clinical type of the lesions were recorded. Histopathology report indicating margin clearance was noted.Results: A total of 96 patients with basal cell carcinoma were operated upon with intraoperative frozen section. Five patients had recurrent basal cell carcinoma whereas 91 had primary lesions. Fifty four (56.3%) patients showed all margins clear of tumor on frozen section whereas 42 (43.8%) patients required further excision of one or more margins based on the result of frozen section.Conclusion: Intra operative frozen section helped conserve skin in addition to saving 42 (43.8%) patients from a second surgical procedure.