VARIATIONS IN COMPLETE EXCISION OF BASAL CELL CARCINOMA IN HEAD AND NECK REGIONS VS. OTHER REGIONS (LIMBS OR TRUNK) BY PLASTIC SURGEONS AND PATHOLOGISTS (GSs, ENT, and OMFS)

The basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of tumor found all over the world. There is a paucity of knowledge due to the death rate is relatively low. This study aims to evaluate the site as a potential risk factor for recurrence and to investigate the variations in the complete excision of basal cell carcinoma performed by plastic surgeons and pathologists (GSs, ENT and OMFS) in Pakistan in the head and neck regions as opposed to other regions (limbs or trunk respectively). Plastic surgeons and other pathologists in Pakistan conducted a retrospective study on the findings of pathological analysis of 120 standardized excisions of primary basal cell carcinomas completed over two years, beginning in February 2022 and ending in December 2023, in a multidisciplinary setting. There are five unique regions of the body: the anterior trunk, the upper back, the lower back, the upper and lower limbs, and the buttocks. However, the head and neck make up fifteen different places, which include the forehead, the scalp, and various parts of the nose. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS. Using Fisher's exact tests and one-way analysis of variance, that enabled to determine whether or not the features of the patients and tumors differed between the different specialties. It used Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models to estimate pathologists' and plastic surgeons' BCC excision rates. The results showed that pathologists were able to completely remove basal cell carcinomas in 74% of cases, while plastic surgeons were able to remove 82% of cases. In comparison to the other specialist fields, the median age of the patients was 67 years, with a standard deviation of ±11 years. Although the risk of an incomplete excision increased sixfold when a pathologist removed a basal cell carcinoma (BCC). There was a significant difference in the risk of an incomplete excision between basal cell carcinomas of the head and neck and those of the trunk and limbs. The study paved the way forwarded for future researches.