Mohs Micrographic Surgery
What is Mohs Surgery?
Mohs Skin Cancer Surgery, or Mohs Micrographic Surgery, is a specialized treatment for removing certain skin cancers. If Dr. Kivett determines that Mohs Surgery is appropriate for treating your skin cancer, he will discuss this with you, if not, he will discuss a variety of other treatment methods.
Benefits of Mohs Surgery
Mohs surgeons remove the cancer tissue and study it with a microscope, searching for its continuing presence. Removal will continue in small stages until the cancer is gone. Mohs surgery is the only treatment method that allows for evaluation of the margins (the space surrounding the cancer) while you wait. Also, Mohs surgery is so effective because it analyzes the tissue surrounding the cancer more thoroughly than other techniques.
These two distinct advantages ensure that all skin cancer cells have been removed before you leave the office. Also, in many cases, less tissue is removed with a higher rate of success, as determined by the cancer not coming back. The success rate can reach 99%. There are other treatments for cancer besides Mohs surgery and Dr. Kivett will discuss these from his informational book chapter he wrote on the subject.
The Procedure
Mohs surgery is done with local anesthesia in a dermatology office. Local anesthesia is safe and well tolerated, and recovery is quick. Removal of a six-thousandths inch thickness of tissue takes less than three minutes. Technicians stain the removed tissue with small amounts of color and it usually takes them an hour or so to process the tissue and for Dr. Kivett to examine it under the microscope.
One of two results will occur. Either you will need to have an additional thin layer of tissue removed, or you will be told that the cancer is gone and you will have the wound stitched up. The average patient half the time has only one or two stages of tissue removed. Sometimes, it takes longer. Once the tumor is entirely removed, Dr. Kivett will discuss with you the range of ways to have the wound heal. If stitches are needed, these will be placed on the same day. Sometimes, wounds are left to heal by themselves, and much less commonly, another surgeon/provider will repair the wound.
Mohs surgeons often also have training in reconstructive techniques to enhance healing and minimize scarring. However, Dr. Kivett is one of two doctors in medical practice anywhere with Board certifications in Plastic Surgery, Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery & Dermatology. He also worked and published a technique article with Dr. Mohs in the 1980’s.
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Dr. Kivett accepts new patients with various insurances or as self-pay. HMO patients first require a referral from their doctor. If you have a medical emergency, please dial 911 right away.