I will need to use Efudex on my face soon. Is it safe to use the Efudex on the graft tissue and on the flap repair? (photo)

Question

Efudex treatment for graft site. I had Mohs surgery 3 months ago above my right eye for BCC with a skin graft the size of a silver dollar from a donor site on my chest. I also just had a Mohs on my nose for BCC and squam with a flap repair from between my eyes. I will need to use efudex on my face soon. Is it safe to use the efudex on the graft tissue and on the flap repair? Thanks

John Louis Ratz, MD · Answer

First of all, I am in the vast minority, but I have never given patients effudex. I believe there are far better alternatives. That being said, I consider facial skin "priviledged". You can do things to facial skin that can't be done to other skin surfaces without consequences. Effudex used on non-facial skin may result in a more violent reaction than its reaction on the face. To be on the safe side, if you want to use it on the graft, start it the same time you do on the face, but just apply to a small test area on the graft. Once the facial reaction is in full swing, compare it to the reaction on the graft, and decide if you want to continue with treating the entire graft or not. It's best to be safe and not sorry.         jlr

I will need to use Efudex on my face soon. Is it safe to use the Efudex on the graft tissue and on the flap repair? (photo)

Answers (1)

More Mohs Surgery Questions

I will need to use Efudex on my face soon. Is it safe to use the Efudex on the graft tissue and on the flap repair? (photo)

Answers (1)

More Mohs Surgery Questions

Eye still swollen 6 months after mohs on temple (Photo)

Linear closure for medial canthus defect after mohs surgery. Was this the right decision? (photos)

Swelling after Mohs surgery. 5 days post-op. Is this normal?