Mohs Surgery Reconstruction
Mohs Micrographic Surgery is a safe and effective treatment for skin cancer that thoroughly excises the tumor while only mildly disturbing surrounding tissue. It is the only skin cancer treatment available that targets only cancerous tissue through comprehensive microscopic examination of the affected area.
What are my options?
This procedure is most commonly used for the treatment of basal and squamous cell carcinomas, the two most common types of skin cancer, although it can also be used to treat melanoma and other types of cancer. Mohs surgery is often recommended for recurring cancer because its results are so thorough. It is also ideal for treating cancer in cosmetically and functionally prominent areas such as the nose, eyelids, lips, hairline, hands, feet and genitals.
Consideration
Reconstruction after Mohs surgery can often be performed the same day or the day after the removal procedure. Reconstructive procedures are performed on an individualized basis, depending on each patient’s wound, and can involve a skin graft, flap of skin, stitching or surgical closure.
Expectations
While complete tumor resection is the main goal, your doctor also takes your appearance into consideration by leaving as much healthy tissue as possible. Reconstruction uses this remaining healthy tissue to carefully restore the area for both effective and aesthetic results.
Surgery
Mohs surgery is performed on an outpatient basis in your doctor’s office. It may be performed by a team of highly trained specialists who each focus on different parts of treatment, or one experienced Mohs surgeon well-equipped to perform the entire procedure. During the Mohs surgery procedure, the affected area is numbed with a local anesthetic. Small layers of skin are removed and then the area is closely examined to see if the cancer has been thoroughly eradicated. This process significantly reduces damage to surrounding tissue while effectively removing all traces of cancer.
Most Mohs procedures can be performed in three or less stages, which usually takes less than four hours to perform. Some cases may take longer, as there is no way of predicting the extent of cancer growth before treatment begins. Patients should arrange for someone to take them home following surgery.
After Care & Recovery
After Mohs surgery, patients may experience mild discomfort, bruising and swelling around the treated area. Prescription pain medication is available for patients if needed, although most only require Tylenol for pain relief.
There will be scarring after Mohs surgery once the area is healed, although the scars from this procedure are often smaller than those from other excision procedures. For patients concerned with the appearance of their skin after treatment, reconstructive procedures are available to reduce or even eliminate the appearance of the scar using skin flaps, skin grafts, collagen injections and more. These procedures may be performed at the same time as Mohs surgery or at a later date. Your surgeon may also utilize certain techniques to reduce visual scarring, including placing stitching in the skin’s natural crevices or out-of-sight areas.
Whether you have a question or would like to setup a consultation, Dr. Trussler and his staff are here to help. Please fill out our contact form, call our office at 214-645-3118, or schedule in directly at 214-645-2353. Start your journey to not only looking, but feeling better today!
