What Exactly Is Mohs Surgery?

Skin cancer is not a fun condition. It's important to remedy it as quickly and precisely as possible to minimize complications. That's why many experts recommend patients undergo Moh's surgery, a procedure where thin layers of skin are removed and examined under a microscope until no more cancer is found to be present. Dr. Sally Booth of Booth Dermatology Group in Zionsville, IN, has trained extensively in this process and is proud to offer it to her patients today.

What Exactly Is Mohs Surgery?

Developed by Dr. Fredric Mohs in 1938, the procedure involves a highly precise examination and the removal of skin cancer cells. A microscope is used to tell cancerous cells from non-cancerous cells, allowing the doctor to leave as much healthy tissue as possible. The bulk of the tumor is first removed, and then additional skin layers are examined bit by bit until only healthy cells remain. This surgical strategy not only has an extremely high cure rate for several aggressive forms of skin cancer, such as basal and squamous cell carcinoma, but it's also one of the most minimally invasive skin cancer surgeries since the minimum possible amount of skin is removed.

What Does Recovery From Mohs Surgery Look Like?

Recovery from this type of surgery isn't much different from healing a wound since it's designed to be minimally invasive. Larger surgery sites may require stitches, whereas smaller ones heal on their own. Your doctor will provide you with specific recovery instructions, but in general, over-the-counter pain relievers and ice should do the trick.

The wound will be bandaged for some time after surgery to keep the infection at bay. It's important to change the bandage and clean the wound as recommended by your surgeon. There may be bruising, swelling, and bleeding at the site, but patients generally only have to rest for 24 to 48 hours before returning to normal activity.

Dr. Booth at Booth Dermatology Group of Zionsville, IN, prides herself on providing personalized care to patients. That means that when you visit us, your unique needs can be accounted for in our surgery and recovery plans.

Dr. Booth will be happy to meet with you. We encourage you to contact us at your earliest convenience, either by calling (317) 848-2427 or by booking an appointment online here. We look forward to helping you improve your skin's health.