RECONSTRUCTION AFTER MOHS SURGERY
In most cases your wound will be reconstructed on the day of surgery. However, you may need reconstruction done on the following day. The type of repair is determined by the size and shape of the wound. The possibilities include:
- Primary Closure: Simple side-to-side closure with stitches.
- Local Flap: Skin is moved from an adjacent area without disconnecting its blood supply and placed on the wound.
- Skin Graft: Skin is removed from a distant portion on the body and placed with sutures on the wound.
- Second Intention: The wound is allowed to heal by itself. This is appropriate for wounds in certain locations.
After your tumor is completely removed, Dr. Skelsey will discuss the most appropriate option for you. Other surgical sub-specialists may be involved for more extensive repairs or for those involving certain anatomic structures.
All skin surgery results in some type of scar. The complete healing of a scar takes place over several months. Depending on how you heal, you may require treatment to adjust scars that are elevated or bumpy. Dr. Skelsey will recommend treatments, as needed, to help improve the appearance of a scar.
