The size and depth of the surgical wound after removal of your skin cancer can not be predicted in advance. The method of reconstruction can not be predetermined either. After tumor removal is complete the options for reconstruction will be reviewed with you. At the completion of your surgery and repair, we will give you printed instructions on how to care for your wound. The wound edges are brought together to form a linear closure.
Most surgical wounds following removal of the skin cancer are circular.
When these wounds are closed by direct closure some puckering is produced at both ends. These puckers must be removed to produce a straight line, which is longer than the original diameter of the wound. Our goal is to hide this scar line in a pre-existing crease when possible. A skin flap is when nearby tissue is recruited to cover the surgical wound. Many types and designs of skin flaps are used in order to restore function and produce the best possible cosmetic result.