Only physicians who have been specially trained in this technique perform this procedure. Dr. David Cowan has received advanced training in surgery, pathology, and facial reconstructive surgery and has completed the procedure successfully for thousands of patients.
Mohs micrographic surgery differs from other treatments for skin cancer by combining surgical removal of the affected skin with microscopic analysis of the tissue that day.
This helps to ensure that all of the cancer has been removed, while leaving the surrounding healthy skin intact and unharmed. By using very detailed mapping techniques and microscopic examination of cancerous tissue, the “roots” of the skin cancer are extracted in a very precise and accurate manner, giving Mohs micrographic surgery the highest cure rate of any procedure used in the treatment of skin cancer.
You will be contacted prior to your appointment with further instructions and information. When you arrive at the office, a member of our staff will review your medical history and details of the procedure. Next, Dr. Cowan will confirm the exact location of the area to be treated and numb it with a local anesthetic.
Once numbed, a thin layer of skin will be surgically removed and a bandage placed over the site. The layer of removed tissue is taken to the lab where it is processed. This first procedure (or ‘stage’) usually takes one to two hours. During this time, you will be asked to wait either in the waiting room or in the procedure room, so you may want to bring a book or magazine. Please DO NOT leave the office during the waiting period.
Each stage requires one to two hours (sometimes longer) and typically the skin cancer can be removed in one to three stages. Once the cancer has been removed, Dr. Cowan will talk to you about the best way to reconstruct the defect left by surgery. If required, stitching can take an additional hour. You should plan to be in the office for the entire day, but many patients may be discharged in four to five hours (sometimes less). We provide breakfast, lunch and light refreshments for you and your family.
Will the Surgery Leave a Scar?
When are the Sutures Removed?
Is Recovery Painful?
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