Facial Reconstruction After Skin Cancer: A Popular Choice With Mohs
Facial skin cancer is one of the most common cancers in both men and women across the world. Fortunately, the majority of skin cancers can be treated by removing the cancer. Mohs surgery is one of most popular and successful facial skin cancer removal procedures; it allows surgeons to remove all of the cancer while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible. However, it can result in unavoidable facial defects. There is good news: a facial plastic surgeon can repair the defects.
Facial defects resulting from Mohs can be various sizes. Because the face is a focal point of attention, many people choose to have their facial defects resulting from Mohs repaired. This can allow them to continue enjoying life without visible holes and depressions in the skin.
It’s important that an experienced facial plastic surgeon work closely with a highly qualified Mohs surgeon to coordinate state-of-the-art care for patients. By utilizing different types of grafts and/or flaps, the plastic surgeon repairs unavoidable facial defects resulting from the Mohs surgery. The type of repair performed depends on the size, location, depth, and extent of the wound.
While most post-Mohs reconstruction procedures can be performed under local anesthesia, some very large defects may require staged procedures and be performed under twilight sedation in an ambulatory surgical center. General anesthesia is rarely required.
Depending on the size of the defect, the reconstruction procedure takes an average time span of approximately 30 minutes to two hours.
In the majority of cases, patients are able to go home immediately after the procedure. When performed in an outpatient surgery center under twilight anesthesia, patients are observed for a short time afterward before being discharged with a companion. The majority of patients can even go back to work the day after the procedure.
Stitches placed during the surgery will be removed by the surgeon about 1 week after surgery. Instructions on how to take care of the incisions are given and are important to follow to allow for the best possible healing.
Typically, patients don’t complain of significant pain after the procedure; many take only over-the-counter Tylenol for pain. However, a mild narcotic pain medication can be prescribed if needed.
Facial Reconstruction After Skin Cancer: A Popular Choice With Mohs
