Mohs Surgery on Nose - Stitches or Left to Heal by Itself?

asked 1 year ago by 4011anon in new jersey
Latest answer by Andrew Kaufman, MD
Question viewed 1,291 times
Tags: nose, stitches, tip

I had a biopsy and the results are that I have a squamous cell on the tip on my nose, very small area. Using a Mohs Surgeon how will he/she determine if the procedure will be conducted with stitches or left to heal by itself. Please advise. thank you.

6 answers to Mohs Surgery on Nose - Stitches or Left to Heal by Itself?

Repair or Secondary Intention Healing

When we allowa wound to heal by itself we refer to it as secondary intention healing. This tends to work best in concave areas including the temple and depressed contours of the nose, eyes and ears; however, other factors may come into play. Very superficial defects may also heal very well by secondary intention healing. Overall, the best answer is to talk to your doctor, and ask why he or she is performing a particular repair or allowing the wound to heal by secondary intention. more

Andrew Kaufman, MD
Los Angeles Dermatologic Surgeon

www.dermatology-center.com

The need for stitches depends on the size of the cancer

If the cancer is small and is removed with the first layer (stage) of the Mohs procedure then there is a good chance we can let the body heal naturally and stitches will not be needed. However, if the cancer is larger, and the defect is wider or deeper after the cancer is removed, then a repair with stiches is often recommended for the best cosmetic results.

Brian Dubow, MD
Los Angeles Dermatologic Surgeon

There are several factors that determine a repair

First off, kudos to you for using a Mohs surgeon to treat a skin cancer on a cosemtically sensitive area. As stated before, make sure that you are using a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon. Personally, I do not like to leave defects on the nasal tip to heal by secondary intention. I feel that this leaves an unacceptable scar. There are other locations were secondary intention healing is acceptable (concha of ear, small medial canthal defects), but I do not consider... more

Brent Spencer, MD
Frisco Dermatologic Surgeon

Reconstruction for the nasal tip after Mohs surgery

Normally, nasal tip defects are reconstructed by either a skin flap which involves movement of adjacent skin to cover the area, or a skin graft which is a patch of skin removed from a separate area such as behind or in front of the ear, side of the neck or other donor areas from the same patient. Otherwise, nasal defects on such a convex area of the tip of the nose typically do not heal with appropriate aesthetic outcomes. The underlying cartilage may be too noticable as bumps and the... more

Ronald Shelton, MD
Manhattan Dermatologist

Squamous cell on nose tip repair options

First of all, are you seeing a board certified and fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon. You can tell by going to Mohscollege.org and look up your doctor. Next, you should know that this surgical decision can only be determined after the Mohs layers show no residual cancer cells and the depth of the area is known. Sometimes these "small" cancers can be tiny or be just the tip of the iceberg. Lastly, your fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon is required for certification... more

Shawn Allen, MD
Boulder Dermatologist

Secondary intention healing without sutures

Your surgeon should be able to advise you based upon what area and how large of a defect are involved after removal of your skin cancer. Typically the best areas for secondary intention healing (without sutures) are those that are found on concave areas of the face such as nasal ala creases.

Steven Hacker, MD
West Palm Beach Dermatologic Surgeon

www.palmbeachdermasurgery.com

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