How is Mohs Surgery performed?
How to Prepare for Mohs Surgery
Reconstructive Surgery
Once the tumor is removed, you are left with a surgical wound. Dr. Shapiro will discuss the repair options with you and make recommendations on the option that will achieve the best cosmetic and functional result. These options may include:
1) Natural Healing
In certain areas of the face and body, wounds heal better when left to heal naturally. Wounds healing on their own may take a month or more to fill in and you may need to change the bandages regularly during this time.
2) Closing with stitches
This involves pulling the wound edges together and closing the wound with surgical stitches. The suturing usually lasts anywhere from thirty minutes to two hours to complete. You will need to return to have the stitches removed, which is usually one week later on the face and two weeks later on other parts of the body.
3) Skin Graft
This option involves taking skin from another part of the body and stitching it into place to close the wound. A bolster dressing is sewn over the graft and remains in place for at least a week. You should not get the dressing or the underlying graft wet during this time. It may be recommended that you bathe using a sponge bath during this week. The stitches on the bolster dressing are usually removed in 1 week. The stitches on the graft are absorbed by the body and do not need to be removed.
4) Skin Flap
This process involves surgically cutting and pulling skin from an area adjacent to the wound and stitching it in place. Usually you will need to return in 1 week to have the stitches taken out. Sometimes skin flaps may require a second stage or additional surgery to complete. This may be scheduled 2-3 weeks after the initial surgery.
5) Consultation with another surgical specialist
Dr. Shapiro may recommend that you see another surgical specialist to discuss repairing the surgical wound after Mohs Surgery. They will often require that you meet with them in consultation prior to surgery. Our office will make arrangements with the other surgical specialist's offices to arrange your surgery dates. You may be having surgery with the specialist on the same day or several days after your Mohs surgery procedure. Infrequently, the surgical specialist will require that you do not eat on the day of the surgery (if your repair will be done in a hospital operating room and require general anesthesia).