Mohs Surgery Specialist

What is Mohs surgery?

Mohs micrographic surgery is a state-of-the-art surgery to remove skin cancer without removing much of the surrounding healthy tissue. 

The team can use Mohs surgery to remove all types of skin cancer. However, they usually use the operation to remove basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Melanoma must be in its early stages to be eligible for Mohs surgery.

What happens during Mohs surgery?

Mohs surgery is an outpatient procedure, and you are awake and alert throughout the operation. Your provider completes Mohs surgery in several steps. 

First, your provider examines your tumor and prepares your skin for surgery. They inject a local anesthetic and mark the area for reference. You might need to change into a hospital gown for the procedure.

Next, your provider uses a scalpel to remove the top layer of the visible cancerous tissue. Some types of skin cancer have roots that aren’t visible on the surface of your skin. 

Your provider examines the top layer under a microscope and creates a  map of your surgical site. They use the map to remove the next layer carefully, leaving as much of your healthy tissue intact. 

They repeat this process until all of the cancerous tissue is gone. The surgery can take several hours, but when it’s complete, your provider closes the wound with a stitch or a flap of adjacent skin. In some cases, you might not need a stitch, and the wound closes on its own.

What should I expect after Mohs surgery?

Recovery from Mohs surgery varies depending on the size and location of your skin cancer removal. You might have some redness or swelling following your surgery. 

The team at Orange Coast Dermatology provides customized aftercare instructions. They schedule a follow-up to check on your recovery.

What are the benefits of Mohs surgery?

Mohs surgery offers many benefits. The team completes the procedure in a single, outpatient appointment, and you only need local anesthesia. Mohs surgery also has exceptionally high cure rates — 99% for previously untreated skin cancer. It spares your healthy tissue and leaves the smallest possible scar. 

If you’re concerned about skin cancer or are looking for a Mohs surgery provider, call Orange Coast Dermatology or make an appointment online today.