Patient Education
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Yes, one of the benefits of Mohs Surgery is that it is performed while you are awake. There is no need for general anesthesia. A local anesthetic, typically lidocaine, is used. The local anesthetic is injected around the tumor site and the skin immediately becomes numb. Additional medication for anxiety and/ or pain is avaiabled if needed.
Will be awake during the procedure
Dr Fredrick Mohs, Professor of surgery at the University of Wisconsin, developed this surgical technique in the 1930s.
Yes. Following a biopsy the area may appear to be healed. However, the lesion that was removed can represent the “tip of the iceberg.” The tumor may continue to grow wider and deeper, like roots of a tree. If the area is not removed, the tumor will likely reappear and will require more extensive surgery.
Bandaging supplies vary from patient to patient. Listed below are some common wound care supplies, available at our clinic and most pharmacies.
- -Vaseline
- -Non-adherent dressing (Telfa bandages)
- -Paper tape
- -Q-tips
To minimize risk of potential infection, a sterile environment is required. The more sterile the environment is, the greater the reduction in infection. To provide you the best care possible, we use a surgical room that will adhere to the highest standard of infection control.
We recommend monthly self examination of the surgical site. Monitoring for any new lumps, bumps or sores in the surgical area is important. If any of these do not resolve within one month, we recommend returning to our clinic for follow up. We also recommend monthly self examination of your skin head to toe. It is important that you, and your dermatologist, keep a close eye on your skin as you are now at a higher risk of developing additional skin cancers in the future. Please schedule regular follow-ups with your dermatologist. If you do not have one, we will be glad to refer you to one.