Mohs surgery is a surgical procedure that is performed to remove a skin cancer lesion. After you have had the lesion removed, you may wonder whether you'll need to undergo reconstructive surgery. While reconstructive surgery is not necessary in some circumstances, there are several situations in which you may want to consider undergoing reconstructive surgery.
You Have the Final Say
Whether or not you will be offered reconstructive surgery will be based in part on your personal preferences. You will be informed about the type of closure that you will need, the crucial functions of the tissue, the anatomic location and how the placement of scars affects your appearance.
Reconstructive Surgery Leads to Better Healing
Reconstructive surgery is often thought to be carried out simply to improve the appearance of the patient, but those who undergo reconstructive surgery often heal faster from Mohs surgery as well. When an area that was treated through Mohs surgery does not undergo reconstructive surgery, the area contracts when the scar forms and can distort the appearance of the area.
Surgeons Explain What to Expect
The surgeon will discuss your options upfront so you can decide whether you would like to undergo reconstructive surgery after Mohs surgery. You will be told what will happen to that part of your body both with and without surgery. While there is no guarantee that you will achieve specific results, a reconstructive surgeon can help you achieve the most aesthetic and functional results possible.
The surgeon might not know which surgical procedure will be necessary. For example, if you are fighting a rare form of cancer, the surgeon might not know how large the tumor will be. If the tumor is larger than expected, you might need to undergo a different surgical procedure.
Reconstructive Surgery Can Be Minimally Invasive
Reconstructive surgery is often not something to worry about because most forms of reconstructive surgery are very small. For example, a closure might simply be stitched up into a wrinkle. Or, you might have a large flap constructed with multiple sutures for each area of the face.
The suture lines are placed where natural lines fall along the face, such as when the lips meet the cheeks. In some cases, several sutures need to be used, but having more sutures will lead to better long-term healing and the tissue won't be disrupted. But whether or not you receive constructive surgery after Mohs surgery is ultimately up to you.
To learn more about reconstructive surgery, contact a reconstructive surgeon in your area.