How long does Mohs surgery take?
Typically, most cases are completed in 1 to 4 hours. You are awake during the procedure as the operation is carried out using local anesthesia. Please make arrangements to stay the entire morning or afternoon with us. Will the procedure leave a scar? Yes. The Mohs technique, however, allows for the smallest surgical scar possible. What happens after surgery? Dr. Marsh will discuss with you what type of wound closure would be best (e.g., flap, graft, linear repair, et cetera). Sutures are typically removed in 5 to 7 days. Sometimes it is best to leave the wound open to heal naturally. Occasionally the tumor may be very extensive involving the eyelid, ear, nasal structures, or oral cavity. If this occurs Dr. Marsh will likely refer you to another surgical specialist for assistance in repairing the site so that you achieve optimal results. For very aggressive tumors, low-grade radiation treatments are sometimes used along with Mohs surgery to enhance the effectiveness of the procedure. Wi
