What is Mohs Surgery?
Mohs surgery is one of the most effective treatments for skin cancer available today. First, a Mohs surgeon will examine the lesion and determine what tissues need to be removed. After careful planning of the procedure, the surgeon will apply a local anesthesia surrounding the area of the tumor so the area is numb, ensuring that no pain is felt during Mohs Surgery.
The procedure itself entails removal of visible cancer, as well as removal of a small area of surrounding skin tissue. This skin tissue is then examined for traces of the tumor to determine if more tissue samples must be removed. If cancer remains, the steps are repeated until the skin samples no longer contain traces of cancerous cells.
Removal of any cancerous cells is of the utmost importance for a successful Mohs Surgery. Because Mohs Surgery may involve the removal of several layers of skin tissue, it can often result in disfiguring scars. The procedure oftentimes requires that the treated area be reconstructed post-operatively.
Reconstruction takes place after the area has been determined to be free of cancer, and the scope of reconstruction necessary depends on factors such as the size of the tumor removed, how deep the cancerous roots stretched, where the tumor was removed from, etc. Reconstruction will often take place on the same day as the Mohs Surgery procedure.
Facial Reconstruction Following Mohs Surgery
For patients receiving Mohs Surgery to treat skin cancer on their face, discussing options for reconstruction prior to the procedure is important.
Oculoplastic surgeons are equipped to successfully reconstruct the eyelid area while taking care of complex defects that may arise involving facial structures like the nose and eyes. The most common cancer that occurs on the eyelid is basal cell carcinoma. When the procedure involves cancers on the eyelid, a MOHS surgeon (a dermatologist with special training in the removal of cancer) will work closely with an oculoplastic surgeon to accomplish the best possible results for the removal of the cancer cells, functionality of the eyelid, and for cosmetic satisfaction.
If facial or eyelid reconstruction is necessary after your Mohs Surgery, contact Silk Vision & Surgical Center to discuss options available for facial reconstruction.
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