What to Expect During Mohs Surgery

What to Expect During Mohs Surgery

If you have suspicious skin growths or need a skin growth removed, talk to the professionals at Trident Dermatology in Charleston, SC about Mohs Surgery.

What Is Mohs Surgery?

When a skin growth is determined to be cancerous, a pediatrician may perform a form of outpatient surgery called Mohs Surgery. During the procedure, the doctor will remove a layer at a time of tissue, testing it each time for cancerous cells until they reach a non-cancerous layer. This form of surgery is less invasive than other methods, and as it keeps the healthy surrounding tissue intact, may make the scarring less noticeable than other methods. 

Your Charleston, SC dermatologist at Trident Dermatology can consult with you on how to determine if you need Mohs Surgery.

Preparing For The Procedure

After consulting with your doctor on the suspicious growths, the doctor will perform a biopsy to assess whether the cells are cancerous. Depending on the location, you may be able to wear your normal clothing throughout the procedure. If the doctor will need access to the area under your clothing, you may need to wear a doctor’s gown.

Sometimes the surgery is performed while you’re sitting up or laying down, as you’re conscious and awake during the procedure, the doctor will determine which position you should sit in to make the surgery easier to perform. 

After all the cancerous skin cells are removed, there may be an open wound. This may be left to heal normally, or the surgeon may close the area with stitches. The method of healing will be determined by the size and location of the wound. With deep incisions, the area may need to be reconstructed with a skin graft or by using your own neighboring tissue. Your surgeon may even refer you to a specialist to repair the wound.

This procedure may take several hours, depending on how deep the cancerous tissue goes. While the surgery itself should not be painful, as the doctor will use a local anesthetic, healing after the surgery may leave the treated area sore and tender.

To make an appointment to assess a suspicious growth or to schedule your Mohs surgery, call (843) 797-3960 to make an appointment with your Charleston, SC dermatologist at Trident Dermatology.


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Charleston, SC Dermatologist
Trident Dermatology®
9295 Medical Plaza Dr. Ste A-B
Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 797-3960
fax: (843) 553-4216
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