Having Mohs under browbone to remove BCC. Questions regarding nerves.

Question

I'm having Mohs to remove a BCC under my eyebrow that I've had for 5yrs. I'm terrified! I'm afraid I won't be able to move my eyebrows or that part of my face ever again. I'll also need a skin flap and I'm terrified of how that will come out. Like maybe it will just look so different/weird. Does anyone know what's it like when involving the eye/eyebrows?

Barbara Jemec, MD, FRCS(Plast) · Answer

First -  be happy you are finally getting rid of the BCC! You are doing the right thing. Definitely.Mohs' surgery will take the least amount of tissue, whilst ensuring clearance.There are many little flaps, which will reconstruct the area with local skin, which will be most appropriate in texture and colour to the skin which is removed, if some of the eyebrow is lost, it can be reconstructed with a hair transplant later when things have settled down.Dr Ramsdell , the other doctor who has answered your question, has covered potential nerve damage nicely.You must remember that scars take 12-18 months to settle down completely, but scars around the eye do extremely well, and usually become thin lines in time.And remember you are doing the right thing, getting rid of the BCC.All the best and good luck

William M. Ramsdell, MD (retired) · Answer

Your concern is only natural, especially because the end result cannot be predicted pre-operatively. There are 2 nerves that arise near the central part of your brow. If these are damaged, there will be numbness heading up your forehead to your scalp. The good news is that if there is nerve damage, it is almost always temporary. It could take up to a year for the feeling to come back but there would be no change in your appearance. Near the lateral aspect of your brow there is another nerve that controls the ability to raise your brow. In the unlikely event that nerve is damaged, your brow could droop on that side. Again, it may be temporary if the nerve is simply injured from stretching or other insult (neuropraxia). If permanent (again unlikely), the brow can very easily be put back in a normal position with sutures. The concept of a flap may sound frightening but Mohs surgeons perform them daily. Don't forget that Mohs surgery will provide you the highest cure rate available with the smallest amount of normal skin removed.

Having Mohs under browbone to remove BCC. Questions regarding nerves.

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Everything you need to know about Mohs Surgery

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Having Mohs under browbone to remove BCC. Questions regarding nerves.

Answers (2)

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Everything you need to know about Mohs Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.