— Verve Patient
Mohs Reconstruction
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What Is Mohs Surgery?
- Mohs surgery will be performed by your dermatologist. Very thin shavings are taken at the site of your skin cancer. After each shaving your dermatologist will look at the removed tissue under the microscope. Subsequent shavings will be performed until there is no skin cancer visualized under the microscope.
- Of all the surgical techniques available today, Mohs surgery offers both the lowest recurrence rate of malignant lesions, and maximum preservation of healthy tissue.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Mohs Reconstruction?
- Your dermatologist will determine if Mohs reconstruction with a plastic surgeon is recommended. This is common if Mohs surgery’s was performed on cosmetically important areas such as the nose, eyelids and lips, and for high risk and invasive lesions (such as near a facial nerve).
The Procedures
- The procedure and incision will vary widely depending on the location, size, and depth of the tumor.
- Typically procedures either require; a flap or a skin graft
- A flap involves transfer of local tissue while maintaining its own blood supply.
- A graft involves transferring tissue without keeping a blood supply attached.
- Depending on the location of your Mohs reconstruction, Dr. Gupta will discuss if you are a good candidate for a flap or a graft and what type would be best for your individual case.
- Resection and reconstruction of more extensive and invasive tumors involves more advanced techniques. These can be discussed in detail during your consultation.
The Incisions
- The incisions will depend on the area Mohs reconstruction was performed.
- You will have a secondary incision in order to reposition your own tissue to cover the defect where your Mohs excision occurred.
- It will also vary if you have had any additional surgery in the surrounding area which can have effect on the blood supply.
Procedure Video
[Title screen for Procedure – Moh’s Defect Correction]
[Dr. Gupta speaking to the camera like an interview]
A Moh’s procedure is typically done by a dermatologist to remove some sort of skin cancers.
[Few images on screen showing what these skin cancers can look like]
Many times this skin cancer can be on a visible area such as face. After the moh’s procedure is performed, there is a defect left behind.
[Dr. Gupta speaking to the camera like an interview]
A plastic surgery is required to close these defects.
[Dr. Gupta in a surgical gown performing the procedure in the office]
Most of the times most defect repairs can be performed in the office under local anesthesia, you do not have to go to the operating room. Under general anesthesia.
[Dr. Gupta speaking to the camera like an interview]
Most of these procedures only take about half an hour. You will be going home the same day and the recovery is relatively simple. Most of the sutures are removed in about five days. There will be some swelling and bruising, but that should resolve within a few days. Having a skin cancer and skin cancer removed from the face can be a little scary. Patients are typically concerned how it’s going to look afterwards. Is it going to disfigure them? That’s where plastic surgery comes in. The defects typically can be repaired so that nobody can even tell that anything was removed or anything was performed.
[Closing title screen with Verve Plastic Surgery logo]
[On-screen text: Call today (760) 436-7600]
FAQs
What type of procedure needed for reconstruction is typically not known until after Mohs surgery has been performed. Dr. Gupta will discuss possible options for you after we see a photo from your dermatologist following the completion of your procedure.
This can vary a lot depending on the procedure best indicated for you.
Request an Appointment
Call (760) 436-7600 or fill out the form to schedule an appointment to discuss your needs in detail