What Is Skin Cancer Reconstruction?

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Mohs surgery is the most effective treatment for most skin cancer patients. Unfortunately, despite being a good way to eradicate skin cancer, it can leave behind serious defects. 

Dr. Salas is a nationally recognized leader in post-Mohs reconstruction, often giving presentations to his peers on the subject. He can help you repair the skin and tissue and minimize scarring, so that you can return to daily life with minimal interference.

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Procedure Details

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Post Mohs Reconstruction takes place after a Mohs surgery to remove a skin cancer lesion. Depending on the size and position of the lesion, reconstruction may be necessary to restore appearance after the removal. This can take place immediately after the initial Mohs surgery, but the results are not hindered if the patient take a few weeks off to consider his or her options after the initial skin cancer treatment.

Mohs surgery often targets the nose, and in these cases nasal reconstruction may be necessary to restore a normal appearance after the procedure.
 

Common techniques:

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Flap techniques, including free tissue transfer

Bone grafting - bone is usually taken from the skull and shaped to be placed into the excision site.

Cartilage grafting - to reproduce the nose. Cartilage is normally taken from the ear, but rib cartilage is also occasionally used.

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Preparation & Recovery​

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Each patient will be given specific and tailored instructions regarding preparation for surgery.

 

Those who smoke run a greater risk of chest infection and the healing wounds in smokers may be slower. For patients who smoke it is advisable to cut down for a week before surgery and to stop smoking completely for three days immediately before the operation. Assumption of Aspirin or blood thinning medication should be avoided before the procedure as it can reduce natural blood clotting after.