Mohs Surgery in Mumbai, India

• Mohs surgery is a specialised surgical technique performed to treat skin cancer.
• Mohs surgery involves the gradual removal of thin layers of cancerous cells until the skin becomes cancer-free.
• Skin cancer is treated with Mohs surgery, which is a precise surgical method. Thin layers of cancer-containing skin are gradually removed and evaluated during Mohs surgery until only cancer-free tissue remains.

Alternate Name For Mohs Surgery

Mohs surgery is also known as Mohs micrographic surgery.

Body Location:

Skin cells of the body

How is Mohs surgery performed?

• The aim of the Mohs surgery is to treat cancerous cells with minimum damage to healthy surrounding cells. Mohs surgery is a minimally invasive surgery to standard local excision surgery, which involves the removal of cancerous cells along with a small portion of surrounding healthy tissues in one go.
• Surgeons can verify through Mohs surgery whether all cancerous cells are treated or not. Mohs surgery, therefore, has a higher success rate.
• Mohs surgery is used to treat squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, kinds of melanoma and other unusual skin cancers.
• It is specifically used to treat skin cancer with a high risk of recurrence or the affected area needs to be protected such as the nose, eyes, hands, mouth, genital or feet.

Preparation for Mohs Surgery

Before you decide to go for Mohs surgery you need a certain level of preparation. That includes:

• Select a Mohs surgeon: a specialised dermatologist.
• Let your surgeon know about your medical history, the medications you have been taking, based on that Your surgeon ask you to stop taking certain medications
• Stop taking any blood thinners or supplements as they can cause post-surgery complications.
• Wear comfortable clothing
• Stop drinking and smoking
• Eat as much healthy as you can

Mohs Surgery Procedure Type

Mohs surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis using a local anaesthetic.

Follow Up

Follow up with your concerned doctor is very important for proper healing post-surgery and to avoid recurrence and any complications. Some patients do experience some bleeding post-surgery that can be easily managed by the use of pressure. Visit your doctor every six months post-surgery. If you notice any symptoms or signs of cancerous cells growing again, immediately consult your oncologist. Surgery is a mentally draining and stressful process. Do not neglect your mental health. Consult a therapist or a counsellor if you feel the need.

Risks For Mohs Surgery

Like any other surgical procedure, Mohs surgery to has some risk factors associated with it, such as:

• Internal or external bleeding
• Extreme pain or tenderness around the concerned body area
• Microbial infection
• Temporary or permanent numbness around the surgical areas.
• Itching or sharp pain in the concerned body region
• Keloid: enlarge scar

Recovery From Mohs Surgery

Recovery depends from person to person; patients with existing health issues may take longer. Recovery also depends on the wound`s shape, size and location. Small incisions generally take 1-2 weeks to heal while other wounds take at least 4weeks. Avoid any kind of strenuous work immediately after surgery, including bending. Take antibiotics to prevent infection. Take care of your wound, and do regular dressing for faster healing and minimising scarring. You can also use an ice pack on the affected area. If you experience any post-surgical discomfort, immediately contact your doctor. Mohs surgery can also leave round surgical wounds. Round wounds do not require sutures and close on their own; the process is called ' healing by secondary intention.