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Ensure Optimal Healing After Mohs Surgery for Bryn Mawr, Newtown Square, Philadelphia, and the Main Line
Mohs surgery is a multi-stage procedure that’s widely thought to be one of the most effective options for treating certain kinds of skin cancer. It allows patients to have cancerous cells removed while causing very minimal trauma to the surrounding skin and keeping scars as small as possible.
Sometimes, however, the surgical wound still ends up being larger than anticipated because cancerous tumors can grow extensively in an unpredictable manner. Post Mohs reconstruction from Bryn Mawr Skin & Cancer Institute is performed after surgery to improve the appearance of the skin while encouraging the area to heal well and function as it should.
How Does Post Mohs Reconstruction Surgery Work?
Before having post Mohs reconstruction surgery, your Mohs or plastic surgeon will have an in-depth discussion with you to ensure that you are aware of the goals behind the surgery and how to prepare, confirm your expectations, go over any potential risks, and answer any questions you may have about the procedure. Post Mohs reconstruction is often done right after the Mohs surgery, or a few days later. Our Mohs surgeons and plastic surgeon perform same-day post Mohs reconstructive surgery approximately 99 percent of the time.
There are some areas on the body where wounds can be allowed to heal on their own, which is referred to as healing by secondary intention. Sometimes, however, if an open wound from Mohs surgery is left alone to heal, this can lead to poor healing, scarring, and even disfigurement over time. It may also interfere with the functioning of the area where the cancerous cells have been removed.
Local anesthesia and occasionally intravenous sedation (day surgery center with plastic surgeon) are used for the comfort of the patient during post Mohs reconstruction. To make a scar appear less noticeable, the surgeons will try to ensure that the suture line follows the surrounding area’s natural curves and creases.
For the post Mohs reconstruction procedure itself, the wound is cleaned and debrided, and antiseptic is applied. Depending on the extent or complexity of the surgery, the reconstruction can last anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours.
Techniques for Post Mohs Reconstruction Surgery
Post Mohs reconstruction techniques are used to close or fill the surgical wound after skin cancer removal. The most appropriate type of post Mohs reconstruction technique depends on several factors, including where the skin cancer was located and the size of the defect left after removing the cancer.
Flap Techniques
Skin flap techniques for post Mohs reconstruction, such as local and regional flaps, involve “borrowing” healthy skin or tissues from nearby areas to cover the wound if the surgical site is very deep or too wide to close with other techniques. The tissues still retain a connection and blood supply from their original location.
Cartilage Grafting
Cartilage from areas such as the ear or ribcage may be harvested and used for post Mohs reconstruction if structural framework is missing.
Skin Grafts
If skin replacement is needed and flaps are not possible, skin may be removed from another part of the body for post Mohs reconstruction. Opposed to flaps, grafts do not maintain any connection with the donor site. The donor area must also be sutured.
Meet Plastic Surgeon
Laura A. Gowen, M.D.
Board-certified and breast-fellowship trained plastic surgeon Laura A. Gowen, M.D., draws on her extensive experience and uses advanced techniques to create beautiful, natural results for both cosmetic and reconstructive surgery patients.
What to Expect After Post Mohs Reconstruction Surgery
After post Mohs reconstruction has been completed, the patient will receive instructions for how to care for the skin at home. Antibiotics may be prescribed. Patients should understand how to identify signs of an infection and contact their surgeon if they’re experiencing complications, such as a fever or excessive pain and/or bruising. For a small percentage of patients, additional reconstruction may be needed. The scar from post Mohs reconstruction will continue to improve for six to 12 months.