Mohs surgery is the standard treatment for many forms of early-stage skin cancer on sensitive areas of the body, including the neck, head, toes, or genitals. What sets it apart from other cancer treatments is its targeted approach.
At Wound Evolution - Wound Care and Hyperbaric Medicine, our team takes an advanced, proactive, and holistic approach to wound care. Here, we share insights into Mohs surgery and how to ensure optimal wound healing after your procedure.
How Mohs surgery works
During the procedure, your surgeon removes thin sections of skin one layer at a time. Then they analyze the tissue under a microscope, precisely mapping the cancerous cells and identifying microscopic roots.
They continue this process, removing additional layers one at a time and analyzing the tissue until no more cancer remains.
This meticulous and targeted approach enables your surgeon to preserve more healthy, normal skin in the treatment site and still yield cure rates up to 99%. But it also leaves a wound that needs post-Mohs surgery care to reduce complications.
Mohs surgery wounds
A Mohs surgery wound varies from person to person. Some are small, while others are large or deep and require stitches. A Mohs wound can even require skin grafting or surgical reconstruction to repair the site.
Regardless of the wound size, your follow-up care is crucial for the healing process.
Mohs surgery complications
Unfortunately, the very nature of these wounds increases your chances of post-surgical issues. Part of this is due to the fragility of the wound as it heals. As a result, it’s possible to experience excessive bleeding that is difficult to stop.
Without diligent attention, a Mohs surgery wound can also become infected. Signs of infection include:
- Worsening pain
- Cloudy or discolored drainage
- Redness that spreads out from the wound
- Fever
- Enlarged lymph nodes near your surgical site
It’s even possible to have excessive scarring or wound dehiscence — a problem that occurs when the edges of your wound don’t close properly. This complication requires closing the wound again and careful monitoring to ensure the healing process progresses appropriately.
Healing after Mohs surgery
Our team has advanced training in wound care and offers comprehensive solutions to ensure optimal healing and minimal scarring. When caring for a Mohs surgery wound, these treatments could include:
- Medications or topical ointments
- Debridement for an infection
- Specialized bandages
- Bioengineered skin grafts
- Hyperbaric oxygen therapy
We can also provide instruction on the best ways of cleaning and caring for your wound.
If you are facing or recovering from Mohs surgery, we can help with your wound care. Contact one of our offices by calling or requesting an appointment online today. We have offices in Fort Worth, Dallas, and San Antonio, Texas, and in Overland Park, Kansas.
