Mohs Surgery – Skin Cancer Repair

Purpose

Learning that you have a skin cancer can be difficult news. When it is in a cosmetically sensitive area on your face, preserving normal tissue and restoring a natural appearance is imperative. This can be done with standard excision or a Mohs procedure by double board certified Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr. Deidra Blanks for the best appearance afterwards.

Mohs Procedure

The size and location of the cancer will dictate the recommended closure and repair technique. The general principle of closure is to borrow extra, unnecessary tissue from other similar or nearby locations. All layers of the defect and all tissue types that are removed must be replaced. Skin grafts and cartilage grafts from other regions of the head and neck or body are often necessary. For places on the nose, multiple surgeries may be necessary to provide optimal results. The procedure length varies from 15 min. to 3 hrs. depending on the exact location and situation. Generally, the closure can be done under local anesthesia or conscious sedation. An appropriate aesthetic plan will be determined by you and Dr. Blanks.

Recovery

You should be able to return to normal function the day of the procedure. An occlusive dressing may be placed after the surgery. Because wounds heal more quickly in clean, moist environments, wound care instructions will be provided. Sutures are removed within 7 days of the procedure.