A diagnosis of skin cancer Can Be Frightening.
The worry over the cancer is the main concern, of course, but there is also the anxiety over your appearance afterward as an added stress.
If you are scheduled to have Mohs surgery by a trained Dermatologist, you may be concerned about what happens next. How can you get back the natural appearance of your face? Facial reconstruction after Mohs surgery is an option. Skin cancer reconstruction in Annapolis, MD is available from Dr. Namita Murthy, who is a skilled and specially trained facial plastic surgeon. She will take away the stress and worry about your appearance, so you can focus on beating cancer and getting your life back.
What is Mohs RECONSTRUCTION?
Mohs reconstruction is a plastic surgery procedure that is done after skin cancer lesions have been removed through Mohs surgery. The Mohs surgery is first completed by a Mohs-trained Dermatologist. Mohs micrographic surgery saves as much healthy tissue as possible when removing skin cancer around important structures such as your nose, eyes or mouth. It is the recommended procedure for skin cancers on the face since it leaves the smallest possible scar. Once the Mohs Dermatologic surgeon has removed the skin cancer, Dr. Murthy will perform facial reconstruction to minimize obvious scars.
Cutaneous malignancies such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and early stage lentigo malignant melanoma, as well as some rare types of cancer on the face, neck and scalp are best removed by Mohs micrographic surgery performed by a Mohs-trained Dermatologist. Once removed, Mohs reconstruction can improve the patient’s appearance, restoring the skin to as natural a state as possible. Mohs reconstruction in Annapolis is available from Dr. Namita Murthy, a facial plastic surgeon, fellowship trained by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Dr. Murthy is skilled in reconstructing what is lost while minimizing scarring.
Types of Mohs RECONSTRUCTION
When you meet with Dr. Namita Murthy, the two of you will determine if you are a good candidate for Mohs reconstruction. There are several types of Mohs surgery:
Primary closure
This technique is used primarily after the removal of small lesions. The edges of the wound are stitched together. Dr. Murthy is able to use this process with expert and careful stitching that results in speedy healing and leaves little cosmetic issues.
Flap technique
This procedure takes adjacent healthy tissue and covers the site of the surgery. Flaps usually result in a close match of the nearby skin.
Skin grafting
Skin from another part of the body, usually from the ear or collarbone, is used to cover the site of the surgery. The area of the body used depends on the thickness of the graft needed.
Cartilage grafting
If rebuilding is needed, cartilage may be taken from another part of the body to reconstruct facial features such as the ear or nose. The choice of the technique will depend on where your skin cancer is located and its size, as well as the diagnosis of the type of cancer.
What to Expect During MOHS RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY
Prior to any treatment, Dr. Murthy will explain the process and what will happen during the surgery and afterward. She will review your medical history and discuss the recovery and expected results.
The length of the surgery is also dependent on the amount of reconstruction work needed. Sometimes, multiple surgeries are needed to get the best aesthetic effect for your Mohs Reconstruction. After the surgery, Dr. Murthy will explain your post-surgical care. She will discuss with you what to expect and how to care for the incisions, and will stress that you should contact her if you have any concerns. You will be given pain medication if needed and antibiotics. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled to ensure you’re cared for throughout the entire process.
Additional Reading
The length of the surgery is also dependent on the amount of reconstruction work needed. Sometimes, multiple surgeries are needed to get the best aesthetic effect for your Mohs Reconstruction. After the surgery, Dr. Murthy will explain your post-surgical care. She will discuss with you what to expect and how to care for the incisions, and will stress that you should contact her if you have any concerns. You will be given pain medication if needed and antibiotics. Follow-up appointments will be scheduled to ensure you’re cared for throughout the entire process.
What is Recovery Like After a Mohs Reconstruction?
Recovery from Mohs reconstruction can take up to a few weeks.
There will be some swelling and bruising which should resolve in a few weeks. The appearance of the surgical site will improve over several months. If you have a graft procedure, you will have two locations to care for, so following your aftercare instructions from Dr. Murthy will be doubly important.
You will probably want to stay home for a week or longer while avoiding strenuous activity for a few weeks, depending on the location of the wound and amount of reconstruction done. You should follow up for examination every six months as skin cancer has a high rate of redeveloping. Preventing future sun exposure is extremely important as well.
Why Should I Choose Dr. Namita Murthy For Mohs Reconstruction?
Your Mohs reconstruction may result in scarring, but Dr. Murthy focuses on creating a natural look, minimizing any evidence of the surgery as much as is possible.
You will be pleased again with the contours of your face without the anxiety of a skin cancer diagnosis. If you are looking for skin cancer reconstruction in Annapolis, MD, Dr. Murthy’s ten years of facial plastic surgery is the experience you can trust. Dr. Namita Murthy is board certified by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. She is conscientious and highly skilled in facial plastic surgery. To learn more, contact Dr. Murthy for a consultation.