Mohs Surgery Reconstruction
in Chicago, IL
Heal Inside and Out
Chicago Mohs Surgery Reconstruction with Dr. Sameer Kapadia
For patients diagnosed with basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, Mohs surgery represents the gold standard of treatment. Mohs surgery precisely removes skin cancer with minimal disruption to the healthy tissue surrounding the cancer cells.
As effective as this procedure is, Mohs surgery can leave behind a visible wound or gap in the skin, impacting your appearance and self-confidence. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Sameer Kapadia offers expert Mohs surgery reconstruction for patients with noticeable tissue loss following Mohs surgery. With precision approaches and a compassionate bedside manner, Dr. Kapadia can help you feel healthy and confident inside and out.
Reclaim a Confident Outlook
What is Mohs surgery reconstruction?
Many people seek reconstructive surgery following a Mohs procedure. During Mohs surgery, the surgeon removes a thin layer of tissue from the skin cancer lesion and examines it with a microscope to check for cancer cells. They continue this process until no cancer cells remain, only healthy tissue. The Mohs procedure, also called Mohs micrographic surgery, ensures the removal of all cancerous tissue while preserving healthy tissue around the surgical site.
In most cases, Mohs surgery is performed to treat squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. Mohs micrographic surgery is not typically used to treat melanoma, which is a more aggressive cancer, making complete removal difficult with the Mohs technique.
Can I benefit from reconstructive surgery?
Mohs Surgery Reconstruction Candidates
Research shows that Mohs surgery has a 99-percent success rate in curing skin cancer that is detected in the early stages. Micrographic approaches ensure that cancerous cells are completely excised from the healthy skin. However, some people who have Mohs surgery are left with skin damage—often appearing as a section of missing skin or a hole or gap in the skin tissue.
While complete tumor removal from the surrounding skin can be a life-saving procedure, patients may experience psychological distress and lowered self-confidence due to the appearance of the treatment site. For this reason, many people seek the help of a plastic surgeon following Mohs surgery. Dr. Kapadia helps skin cancer patients restore their appearance and achieve a more positive self-image with advanced Mohs surgery reconstruction techniques.
What are the benefits of Mohs Surgery Reconstruction?
With Dr. Kapadia's Mohs Surgery Reconstruction Chicago patients can experience the following benefits:
- Cosmetic Restoration. Helps restore the cosmetic appearance of the skin.
- Functional Improvement. Improves the function of the affected area, for example, maintaining the ability to make facial expressions or preserving range of motion.
- Reduced Risk of Complications. Minimizes the risk of complications like infection and wound breakdown.
- Psychological Benefits. Provides psychological benefits, helping patients feel more confident and comfortable with their appearance.
Your Mohs Surgery Reconstruction Consultation
If you are having Mohs reconstruction surgery, it's a good idea to meet with a plastic surgeon as part of your pre-operative planning process. This ensures coordination between the different members of your care team and the proper timing of each procedure. Dr. Kapadia will spend time learning about your case, answering all of your questions, and helping you gain a clear understanding of the results you can expect from reconstruction. Patients appreciate Dr. Kapadia’s caring demeanor and close attention to detail throughout every step of the procedure. Call or complete our online form to schedule your consultation today.
Understanding Reconstruction Techniques
Your Mohs Surgery Reconstruction Procedure
The best technique for your Mohs Surgery Reconstruction will depend on factors like the size, shape, and location of the treatment site.
- Flap technique. The most common reconstruction method after Mohs surgery is the flap technique. This approach uses a flap of skin adjacent to where the skin cancer was removed to replace the missing tissue. The flap is taken from tissue that has a good blood supply, which is preserved to promote tissue survival.
- Skin graft. In cases where a good skin flap is not available near the surgical wound, a skin graft is used instead. The graft is taken from an area that closely matches the healthy skin around the primary treatment site. Once the skin graft is placed, it will gradually develop its own blood supply by connecting to nearby blood vessels.
- Primary closure. When the wound left at the surgical site is very small, small sutures may be used to close the skin and restore its cosmetic appearance.
At Your Side Every Step of the Way
Mohs Surgery Reconstruction Recovery, Aftercare, and Results
Dr. Kapadia prioritizes ongoing support during the recovery process to ensure that patients achieve the best possible result from their reconstructive surgery. After the Mohs Surgery Reconstruction Chicago patients will have bandages on the treatment area. You may experience discomfort, swelling, bruising, and mild pain, which can be managed with pain medication. Proper wound care is essential for optimal healing. Dr. Kapadia will instruct you on how to change your surgical dressings and keep the area clean. You may need to limit your activity levels during early recovery to avoid putting strain on the surgery site.
Your healing will be carefully checked at post-operative appointments. Adhering to all aftercare instructions ensures the best result from your reconstructive surgery. With good incision care and scar management, you can achieve a better cosmetic appearance and a decreased risk of complications following your skin cancer surgery. This outcome has psychological benefits and functional benefits, improving your confidence in your appearance and helping you feel more like yourself again.
Mohs Surgery Reconstruction
Frequently Asked Questions
Most patients can benefit from Mohs Surgery Reconstruction as long as they are in general good health and have achieved complete cancer removal. The types of skin cancer most often treated with Mohs surgery are squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. During your consultation, Dr. Kapadia will carefully assess the site where the skin cancer was removed and discuss the best reconstructive methods for your situation.
Coordination between your Mohs surgeon and your plastic surgeon can help you time the two procedures to yield the best results. In the past, reconstruction was often performed immediately or shortly after Mohs surgery. However, increasing evidence supports delaying reconstruction for several days or weeks to promote a better outcome. Consulting with your Mohs surgeon and Dr. Kapadia will help you plan the timing of your surgeries.
