What happens after the skin cancer is removed?
Once the tumor is completely excised, the surgeon will evaluate the wound and discuss repair options that include stitches, letting natural healing, or a skin flap or graft. With stitches or a graft, the wound will heal in one to two weeks and over a period of months continuing cosmetic improvement will be seen. If the wound is allowed to heal naturally, the tissue will grow back slowly in four to six weeks. Regardless of the choice of repair, the wound should not be allowed to dry up and scab. Daily application of antibacterial ointment is required. Patients will receive complete wound care instructions from the surgeon.
Once the cancer has been completely removed, we will decide how best to manage the wound that has been created by surgery. This depends on the size and location of the wound. In many cases, the wound can be simply closed by suturing the edges together, resulting in a linear scar. If the wound is too large to do this, tissue from the surrounding area can be rearranged in order to close the wound. This is called a skin flap, and results in a non-linear scar. Skin grafts, or tissue “borrowed” from other areas, are also used to close wounds that cannot be managed in a simpler fashion. Occasionally, the site will be left to heal by itself, a process known as “healing by granulation”. If the wound is left to heal in this manner, daily bandage changes will be needed for approximately four to eight weeks. We also work closely with reconstructive surgeons, and if necessary, they will be called upon to repair the wound. After the procedure, you will be given detailed written wound care instructi
At the end of Mohs surgery, you will be left with a surgical wound. This wound will be dealt with in one of several ways. The several options will be discussed with you in order to provide the best possible functional and cosmetic results. You will have a scar after the cancer is removed. No physician can surgically remove skin cancer and not leave a scar. Dr. Babcock carefully examines you after Mohs surgery to determine which method will leave you with the smallest, least noticeable scar. The possibilities explained below include: 1. Healing by granulation (“second intention’); 2. Closing the wound, or part of the wound with stitches; 3. Using a skin graft; 4. Using a skin flap; or 5. Arranging a consultation with a surgeon who specializes in more complicated surgical repairs. Healing by granulation involves letting the wound heal by itself. This offers a good chance to observe the wound as it heals after removal of a difficult tumor. Experience has taught us that there are certain a
