Mohs Surgery: Q&A
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How Can I Evaluate Which Plastic Surgeon to Choose to Perform my Mohs Surgery Repair?
I have chosen a Mohs surgeon, and she has given me a list of plastic surgeons they work with to do the repair (I have basal cell carcinoma morpheaform on my cheek). What questions should I be asking re: choosing the best doctor?
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9 Doctor Answers |
Asked by
birdingcarol
+2
Choosing the Best Doctor for Reconstruction
Since your Mohs surgeon is giving you the names of several plastic surgeons, I assume that you or she is not comfortable with her performing the reconstructive surgery. That's fine, but in particular Mohs surgeons who have completed a fellowship in Mohs surgery through the American College of Mohs Surgery and are members of that organization are generally well trained to perform the repair. If you or she would prefer a plastic surgeon, I would recommend that you ask her for guidance to...
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Mohs Surgery and Repair
The best resources for referrals and recommendations are from the doctors who are doing the referrals themselves. None of us want to refer a patient or family member to someone who will not do the best job possible. A well trained and experienced Mohs surgeon is probably doing 90% or more of his/her own repairs and will reserve the referrals to plastics or oculoplastics when they know the repair will be extensive or require multiple steps to recreate a facial structure. ...
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How Can I Evaluate Which Plastic Surgeon to Choose to Perform my Mohs Surgery Repair
I would seek out a board certified Facial Plastic Surgeon and then ensure that they perform alot of Mohs reconstruction. You will also want to ask how often they repair defects in the area where you will need repair (nose, lip, eyelid, cheek, etc). You should also look at before and after photos on their website or in their office photo books. Your dermatologist might also give you some advice regarding who does the best work for the type of defect you need repaired. I hope this information...
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Interview some BCPS byVillar
An experienced, well trained, Board Certified Plastic Reconstructive Surgeon is usually your best chance for the most options. Some dermatologists performing Mohs are taking on wounds that are beyond their capabilities, not because they are bad doctors, but because they are medical specialists, focusing on a sub-specialty of pathology. In todays world, no specialist will master his own specialty in his entire lifetime. The knowledge base is too big and outpacing us every day...
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Which surgeon to choose to repair Mohs surgery defects
The cheek is a relatively straightforward area to repair after Mohs surgery, unless the defect gets close to the nose, lips, or eyelid. Larger defects (3+ cm) are also more difficult to repair.
Ask you Mohs surgeon directly which of their referrals they think is the best reconstructionist. When asked directly, they will likely give the nod to one surgeon out of the list.
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Plastic surgery repair after Mohs surgery
Thanks for your question.
It is important to choose a surgeon who is comfortable repairing the area that will have Mohs surgery. There are usually 4 variables that dictate the type of reconstructive procedure that will be performed
size of defect
shape of defect
location of defect
depth of defect
Your plastic surgeon should discuss all these criteria with you and take you through the reconstructive ladder of options. It would be a good idea to ask for...
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Best plastic surgeon after Mohs surgery
I would focus on the plastic surgeons who really specialize in facial reconstruction as opposed to body surgeries. Take a look at their website to see if they had any additional training in facial reconstruction and if they typically do mohs reonstructions. Have a consultation with them and please do not hesitate to see their work- they often have before and after photos available. Finally, please make sure that you feel comfortable with them and their bedside manner.
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Mohs surgeons who are member of the Mohs College do the most reconstructive surgery
I agree with the post below. First I hope you are seeing a Mohs surgeon who has done a fellowship and is a member of the American College of Mohs Surgery. These physicians spend 1-2 extensively studying the Mohs procedure and also reconstructive surgery. Is there something particularly unusual about your skin cancer? In my practice I usually only refer those patients to plastic surgeons when they have a skin cancer so large that it requires it to be closed under general anesthesia.
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Stamford Dermatologic Surgeon
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Choose a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon
Choose a Mohs surgeon who has done at least one year of accredited Mohs surgery fellowship training and is a member of the American College of Mohs Surgery. These surgeons are best trained to both remove skin cancers AND to do the plastic surgery to repair the wound, usually on the same day under local anesthesia.
Beverly Hills Dermatologic Surgeon
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