Are there ocular plastic surgeons that also perform Mohs?

Question

I have confirmed BCC near my eye and have been told I need to find one doctor to perform the Mohs procedure and then find an ocular plastic surgeon to repair the wound. Do any ocular plastic surgeons perform both procedures?

Andrew Kaufman, MD · Answer

Mohs surgery requires that one person act as both surgeon and pathologist (i.e. the person removing the skin cancer should be examining it under the microscope). Most of the time this is a dermatologist since dermatologists are trained in dermatopathology (pathology of the skin) during their residency. I think your best option to get someone to do both Mohs and repair is to look for a Fellow of the American College of Mohs Surgery. These people (full disclosure, I am also a Fellow of the ACMS) have completed fellowships in Mohs surgery, spending 1-2 years learning Mohs surgery, additional dermatopathology and reconstruction techniques. Having said that, you still need to meet with the doctor and discuss their ability to do the Mohs and the repair. In my experience some doctors would still refer you to an oculoplastic surgeon after they complete the Mohs surgery. Best option..meet with the doctors and discuss the specifics of your case. Good luck.

Omar Ibrahimi, MD, PhD · Answer

Mohs surgery requires several skill sets to perform. One has to have training in dermatology to be able to properly assess the tumor and its margins. One also needs training in skin surgery to be able to successfully remove it in as tissue sparing a process and also training in skin pathology to be able to read the slides. There are formal Mohs surgery fellowships that are sponsored by the council that sanctions residencies and fellowships. These doctors are members of the American College of Mohs surgery (NOT the American Society of Mohs Surgery). In my opinion it is your best bet to get your cancer removed by a ACMS Mohs surgeon. Depending on the exact location of the tumor and its extent it may or may not require another specialist to repair the resulting defect from cancer removal. This is something to discuss with your dermatologist and your Mohs surgeon. Ocular plastic surgeons do not have the formal training in Mohs surgery and tend to remove tumors with larger margins of normal skin which will make a much bigger defect/wound than needed. Good luck.

F. Victor Rueckl, MD (in memoriam) · Answer

I am not aware of any ocular plastic surgeons who are also Mohs surgeons, though I'm sure there are a few nationally. Mohs surgeons are almost always a subset of dermatologists who have gone onto further training and fellowships for Mohs surgery specifically. Some Mohs surgeons may be comfortable actually doing the closure near the eye, while others will refer out to a different surgeon for more specialized closures. Personally I've done Mohs since 1981 and don't send out to other specialists for closures because it's harder on the patients. Did the doctor who told you that you have a BCC give you any idea of who to contact? You can simply ask the Mohs surgeon that person referred you to if you need an ocular surgeon to close it, or if that Mohs surgeon can do it for you. "This answer has been solicited without seeing this patient and cannot 
be held as true medical advice, but only opinion. Seek in-person 
treatment with a trained medical professional for appropriate care."

Are there ocular plastic surgeons that also perform Mohs?

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Are there ocular plastic surgeons that also perform Mohs?

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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.