For smaller forms of skin cancer, a local anesthetic may be administered, but sometimes a general anesthetic is necessary. When your plastic surgeon removes the melanoma, a portion of healthy skin around may be removed, as well. To close a small incision, stitches will be used, while large removals or those on the face, hands or feet may require a skin graft to close the wound. More invasive skin cancers will require more invasive surgery and possible reconstructive surgery.
For larger forms of skin cancer, the Mohs micrographic surgery technique may be effective. In this procedure, your dermatologist will use a microscope to examine the tissue and excise the cancer layer by layer to reveal healthy tissue. The removed specimen will be examined to ensure full removal of cancerous cells. When all cancerous cells have been removed, your plastic surgeon will repair the wound with a flap, graft or side-to-side closure. The wound will be closed with sutures.
Mohs surgery can sometimes leave behind an area of damaged skin tissue. To restore your skin after Mohs surgery, we offer post-Mohs reconstruction surgery.