Mohs micrographic surgery also known as Mohs surgery is mostly used to treat skin cancer. This surgery is done because of the unique benefits. Through the operation, the doctor can see where the cancer stops; this is not possible in other types of skin cancer treatments.
Mohs has the benefit of seeing where the cancer stops, and it gives the surgery two essential advantages:
>> A high cure rate.
>> It allows you to keep healthy skin for as long as possible; this is because the surgeon will only extract the surface that has cancer cells. This is vital for areas that develop skin cancer that have little tissue beneath, for example, eyelid, ear, hand.
How does it feel to have Mohs surgery?
If you opt for micrographic surgery, then you will have to consult a doctor who is trainedin Mohs surgery. Most surgeons who perform micrographic surgery are dermatologists, and they have completed extensive training in Mohs surgery.
When Mohs surgery is going on, the patient is usually awake and alert. This means that the operation can be performed safely in a medical office or surgical suite. If the patient needs extensive surgery, then it’s essential they are admitted to a hospital.
On the day of the surgery, the surgeon will examine the area that needs to be operated, and accordingly, you will be prepped for surgery. This will include an anesthetic injection; it’s only meant to numb the targeted area so that you will be awake during the operation.
Once the anesthetic begins to take effect, your surgery can begin. The surgeon will first cut out the visible skin cancer areas; then they will remove a thin layer of the surrounding skin; after which,you’re bandaged up so you can wait comfortably. While waiting, the surgeon will have a look at the removed skin under a microscope. The surgeon looks for cancer cells under the microscope, if any cells are found then another layer of skin is removed.
Once the cancer cells are no longer seen, the surgeon will decide how to treat the wound. Some wounds heal on their own, and some may require stitches. To reduce the scar and help the healing process, some patients may need a skin graft or another variant of skin surgery.
Going under the knife for any reason can be nerve-wracking.If your dermatologist recommends Mohs micrographic surgery, then you must do the right amount of research about the process before you make up your mind.