Wound healing and complications

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Patients should understand that there is not an absolute guarantee that any given procedure will be totally free of complications or adverse reactions. Mohs surgery is no exception.

During surgery, tiny nerve endings are cut, which may produce a temporary or permanent numbness in and around the surgical area. If a large tumor is removed or extensive surgery is required, occasionally a nerve to muscles may be cut, resulting in temporary or permanent weakness in a portion of the face. This is, however, an unusual and rare complication that can usually be avoided. The surgical area may remain tender for several weeks or months after surgery, especially if large amounts of tissue were required to be removed. Rarely, some patients experience intermittent itching or shooting pain in the surgical area for 12 to 16 months after skin cancer surgery.

In addition, rarely the skin grafts and flaps used in plastic surgery to cover surgical areas may not fully heal at first, requiring additional repair or laser procedures or just tincture of time.

 

INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE?

We encourge you to reach out to us with any questions or concerns you might have about a particular condition and the proper treatments. Come in or give us a call to set up a consultation to discuss the treatment process.

Minor Post-Surgical Discomfort Expected

Most patients do not complain of significant pain. If there is some discomfort, normally only Tylenol is required for relief. If you require something stronger please inform us.

Wound Healing, Scarring, and Scar Revision

As with all forms of surgery, a scar will remain after the skin cancer is removed and the surgical area has completely healed. Mohs micrographic surgery, however, will leave one of the smallest possible defects and resultant scars. Sometimes, wounds allowed to heal on their own result in scars that are barely noticeable. Even following extensive surgery, results are frequently quite acceptable and scars may be hard to find. In addition, scars do have the ability, through the body’s own natural healing properties, to remodel and improve in appearance for a 24-month period after the surgery.

There are also many other techniques available to the patient for enhancement of the surgical area following skin cancer surgery. A raised or roughened scar may be smoothened or softened by using laser resurfacing or chemical peeling techniques. Dr Allen is considered an expert in reconstructive surgery for repairing surgical defects and is a national speaker on how to optimize the cosmetic outcome following Mohs surgery.

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