What Is Mohs Surgery?

There are a few questions you should be asking yourself if you or a loved one has skin cancer in Salt Lake City, UT. What is cancerous skin, how does Mohs surgery work, and what will happen after the procedure? Fortunately, Dr. Ivan Flint of Ivan D. Flint Dermatology is an expert in this field.

What Is Mohs Surgery?

Mohs surgery is a very effective form of cancerous skin removal. It is performed using local anesthesia and has a high cure rate. If you have cancerous skin, you may be referred to a doctor specializing in Mohs surgery, such as Dr. Flint. Your doctor will remove the visible tumor and a thin layer of surrounding tissue and examine it under a microscope. This method aims to remove as much cancerous tissue as possible while leaving as much healthy tissue as possible.

Skin Conditions Best Treated With Mohs Surgery

Mohs surgery is a type of surgical procedure that is often used to treat squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. It is also used to treat some forms of melanoma. Your Salt Lake City, UT, skin cancer professional, Dr. Flint, will be able to provide the best options for your unique case.

How Does Mohs’s Micrographic Surgery Work?

Typically, the first step in this procedure is numbing the area. This is done with local anesthesia, similar to that used during a skin biopsy. Then, the doctor will draw a map of the tissue to be removed. Once the area is numbed, the doctor will use a curette, a semi-sharp scoop-shaped instrument, to scrape the tumor. Once your surgeon is sure that all of the tissue is cancer free, they will repair the wound.

How Long Does Mohs’s Micrographic Surgery Take?

Mohs surgery takes about an hour and a half, but it can take up to four hours depending on the tumor size and how many layers of skin must be removed. A local anesthetic is used to numb the area and make it easier for the surgeon to perform the procedure. This also reduces the risks associated with general anesthesia.

What Happens After Mohs Surgery?

Patients can expect to heal in about four to six weeks. However, some wounds take longer to recover, particularly stitches. After the procedure, your Mohs surgeon will advise you on how to care for the treated skin. It is essential to keep the dressing clean and dry and to replace it twice daily.

If you suspect that you may have skin cancer in Salt Lake City, UT, call Dr. Flint at (801) 262-3600 to discuss Mohs surgery as a potential solution.