Mohs Micrographic Surgery

Treat skin cancer with precision using Mohs Micrographic Surgery in Hilton Head Island, SC. This advanced procedure effectively removes basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and other skin cancers while preserving healthy tissue.

At Hilton Head Dermatology, Mohs surgery is performed with your goals in mind: removing the cancer while preserving healthy skin.

Mohs Micrographic Surgery Is A Highly Specialized Technique Used For The Total Removal Of Skin Cancer

It is named in honor of the physician who developed the technique, Dr. Frederic Mohs. Although developed in the early 1940s, Mohs surgery did not come of age until the late 1970s when technical improvements and refinements made it a safe and highly effective means of treating skin cancers, including basal cell carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas, and occasionally melanomas.

How Does Mohs Micrographic Surgery Work?

Mohs surgery removes thin layers of skin, examining each under a microscope. This process continues until no cancer cells remain, minimizing healthy tissue loss. It’s ideal for sensitive areas like the face, hands, and neck.

Unlike standard excisions, Mohs surgery uses a grid pattern to map and precisely remove cancerous tissue. It achieves high accuracy and success rates, making it the most effective and cost-efficient skin cancer treatment.

What Skin Cancers Can Mohs Surgery Treat?

Mohs Micrographic Surgery is primarily used to treat the following types of skin cancers:

  • Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
  • Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
  • Melanoma (in some cases)
  • Recurrent skin cancers or cancers in areas with limited skin tissue

Mohs micrographic surgery is especially effective in removing face, hands, feet, and other cosmetically sensitive skin cancers. It can eliminate virtually all of the cancerous tissue while causing minimal damage to the surrounding normal skin. It is also ideal for removing recurrent, residual, or ill-defined skin cancers.

America College of mohs surgery
Dr. A Thomas Bundy

Dr. Bundy has treated over 25,000 skin cancers with an exceedingly low rate of tumor recurrence – a 99% five-year cure rate for cutaneous malignancies.

This has been possible largely in part due to the micro-graphic techniques employed locally as an in-office procedure with Mohs surgery.

Fellowship-trained in lasers and skin cancer, Dr. Bundy utilizes skills in pathology and plastic reconstruction.

Am I a Good Candidate for Mohs Micrographic Surgery?

Mohs Micrographic Surgery is suitable for individuals with certain types of skin cancer. Here are some signs to determine if it’s the best treatment for you. You might be a good candidate if:

  • You have skin cancer that has a high chance of recurrence or has already returned.
  • Your cancer is located in a sensitive area such as your face, neck, or hands.
  • You want the highest cure rate possible while preserving as much healthy tissue as possible.

A qualified and skilled specialist can further evaluate your eligibility for Mohs Micrographic Surgery. Dr. A Thomas Bundy is a double-board certified dermatologist and Mohs Micrographic surgery specialist in Hilton Head. He can provide a skin cancer diagnosis and treatment during your consultation at Hilton Head Dermatology.

Benefits of Mohs Micrographic Surgery

Mohs surgery provides the highest known cure rate in removing cutaneous malignancies. One study at the Mayo Clinic showed a 98% cure rate in removing skin cancers from over 3,300 patients.

Moreover, since only the cancerous tissue is removed, the most significant amount of normal skin is allowed to remain, thereby creating the smallest wound possible. The smaller the wound, the greater the chance for an excellent cosmetic result after completely healing.

Commonly performed on an outpatient basis with a local anesthetic, the surgery generally begins in the morning and is finished that day unless the tumor is exceedingly extensive. Due to the very thin layer-by-layer removal with laboratory preparation and microscopic examination, a great deal of precision is utilized, often requiring a few hours.

Preparing for Mohs Micrographic Surgery

Before your Mohs procedure, Dr. Bundy will provide instructions on preparing for the surgery. You may be advised to:

  • Avoid blood-thinning medications like aspirin or ibuprofen.
  • Maintain good health for the surgery (e.g., controlling underlying conditions like diabetes).
  • Arrive at your appointment with clean, moisturized skin.

What to Expect During Mohs Micrographic Surgery

You’ll receive local anesthesia to numb the area. Dr. Bundy removes thin tissue layers, examining each under a microscope. This process repeats until no cancer cells remain. The procedure typically lasts a few hours.

Mohs Micrographic Surgery Recovery and Results

Most patients resume normal activities within five to seven days. Mild swelling, redness, or tenderness may occur but resolve quickly. Mohs surgery’s precise approach ensures excellent cosmetic results, especially in visible areas.

Why Choose Hilton Head Dermatology

Dr. Bundy has treated over 25,000 skin cancers with an exceedingly low rate of tumor recurrence—a 99% five-year cure rate for cutaneous malignancies. This has been possible mainly due to the micrographic techniques employed locally as an in-office procedure with Mohs surgery.

Fellowship-trained in lasers and skin cancer, Dr. Bundy utilizes pathology and plastic reconstruction skills. He is double-board certified by the American Board of Dermatology and the American Board of Mohs Micrographic Skin Cancer Surgery.

I had a serious skin cancer. The office was very efficient and professional in taking care of me. They really showed me TLC. Dr. Bundy is extremely knowledgeable and professional. If you have any skin concerns he is the man to see. I would recommend his office to anyone.

Carol B.

How Much Does Mohs Micrographic Surgery Cost?

The cost of Mohs Micrographic Surgery in Hilton Head will depend on several factors. The price can be affected by body type, type of technique performed, surgical complications, and even allergies. Find out more by scheduling a consultation.

Schedule a Consultation

If you or a loved one is dealing with skin cancer, contact us to schedule a consultation. Hilton Head Dermatology is here to provide expert care with the latest advancements in skin cancer treatment.

MOHS vs SRT chart

Mohs Surgery FAQs

Will the Mohs surgeon be able to evaluate other lesions on my surgery day?

No. The best way to ensure that your biopsy-proven skin cancer is treated appropriately is to focus on that procedure on your surgery day.

Can I have all my skin cancers treated at one surgical visit?

No. It is not uncommon that your latest dermatology visit revealed multiple skin cancers. However, we cannot let the knowledge of various issues divert us from providing safe and effective treatment.

Mohs surgery will create significant defects requiring significant repair and healing time. These wounds also come with substantial recovery time and considerable infection risk. We help to manage these issues by limiting you to one surgical issue per visit.

My biopsy site has completely healed, so do I still need Mohs Surgery?

Yes. While it may look like all your skin cancer is gone, studies have shown that that is rarely the case. Even when our naked eye cannot see any residual cancer, there can still be some in the area that will undoubtedly return if untreated.

Mohs surgery will utilize a microscopic examination of the removed tissue to assure complete removal of all the cancerous cells in the area.

Will I have a scar?

Yes. As with any other surgical procedure, there will be a scar. While Mohs surgery does preserve as much healthy skin as possible, there will be a scar after the area has healed.

The exact size and shape of the scar will be dependent on the size and location of the actual defect left behind once all the skin cancer has been removed by Mohs Surgery. There are many possibilities, including flat scars from letting the area heal without sutures, linear scars from a straight-line repair, and complex scars from the flap and graft repairs.

Why is the scar more significant than the biopsy spot?

The biopsy was just a sample of the original lesion and was never intended to define the entire area that needs treatment. With Mohs surgery, your surgeon can define all areas of skin cancer that need removal.

While Mohs surgery does allow for the removal of the least amount of unaffected skin, it does still require a margin of normal skin to be removed for the best chance that cancer does not recur. Thus, the defect after Mohs surgery is normally larger than the biopsy site.

Why do I need to use Hibiclens soap?

It is normal for all the skin on our bodies to have bacteria. Studies have shown that decreasing this normal bacterial burden before a surgical procedure can reduce the chance of an infection after surgery.

It has been shown that it helps even if the area where you are having surgery is not directly washed with soap! In other words, any decrease in our overall bacterial burden can help decrease the chance of infection in any site. This is why we recommend that all our patients wash with Hibiclens before surgery and use the soap as a body wash the week of surgery.

If Hibiclens helps reduce infection, shouldn't I also wash my wound with it after surgery?

No. While Hibiclens soap does help decrease bacterial burden, it is also very irritating to an open wound. This irritation can slow wound healing and mimic the signs of infection during the post-operative period.

Thus, we recommend using the Hibiclens as a general body wash in the post-operative period. Still, the wound should be cleaned with gentle soap and water or hydrogen peroxide.

Will Hilton Head Dermatology give me bandage supplies after my surgery?

No. Our staff will put a complex pressure bandage on your defect immediately after completing your Mohs surgery procedure, which will remain in place for 24 hours.

While in the office, they will give you excellent verbal and written instructions on the wound care you will begin after the first 24 hours. They will recommend any bandaging supplies you may need during your post-operative period, all of which can be purchased at any major pharmacy.

Will I be able to play golf or tennis the next day?

No. While Mohs surgery is typically done on an outpatient basis, it’s still a surgical procedure that requires recovery time. Physical activities like golf and tennis, which involve muscle strain, bending, and increased blood pressure, can slow healing and increase the risk of complications. In the worst case, you could cause the surgical site to open, leading to infection, a longer recovery, and more scarring.

The duration of activity restrictions will depend on the type of surgical repair. It could range from a few days with minimal healing to up to two weeks for more extensive repairs. Your Mohs surgeon will provide guidance on how long to limit physical activity based on your specific recovery.

Is there anything that could prevent me from getting surgery on my scheduled surgery day?

Yes. Multiple medical problems can prevent you from being able to complete your surgery as planned. The most common reasons we see are blood pressure elevated to unsafe levels BEFORE we even start the surgery and failure to take preoperative antibiotics when required.

The best way to make sure your surgery goes as planned is to follow all instructions as given when you are called to schedule your surgical visit. If you have any questions before your surgery date, calling and clarifying any instructions or restrictions is always better.

For your safety and best outcomes, we will always choose to delay surgery when it is in the interest of your health and safety.

What are the primary types of skin cancers?

The common skin cancers include Basal Cell Carcinoma, Squamous Cell Carcinoma, and Melanoma.

How does Hilton Head Dermatology address skin cancer cases?

We offer diverse surgical dermatology treatments, such as Excisional Surgery, Laser Surgery, Cryosurgery, and Mohs Micrographic Surgery, tailored to each patient’s diagnosis.

What distinguishes Mohs Micrographic Skin Cancer Surgery from other methods?

Mohs surgery is employed for complex skin cancers. It increases the likelihood of a cure while preserving normal tissue through a microscopic examination of the removed tissue.

Do you offer cosmetic/plastic surgery for post-cancer repair and scar revisions?

Yes, we meticulously plan and execute reparative cosmetic surgery techniques after successful cancer removal, with a focus on recreating a more natural appearance.

What types of skin growth removal procedures are available at your center?

We can use various methods to remove nevi (moles), warts, age spots, cysts, and various other lesions.

Where can I find detailed information on each surgical procedure's suitability for my condition?

You can explore comprehensive details on our website or consult dermatologists for personalized guidance.

How does insurance coverage work for skin cancer surgery, and what are the available payment options?

Our staff can assist you in understanding insurance coverage and explore payment options to make your treatment accessible.

What is the typical recovery process after skin cancer surgery?

Recovery times may vary depending on the surgical method. Detailed post-operative care instructions will be provided by our medical team.

Are there potential risks or complications associated with skin cancer surgery?

Although these procedures are generally safe, it is important to discuss potential risks and complications with your dermatologist during the consultation.

How can I schedule an appointment for skin cancer diagnosis and treatment at Hilton Head Dermatology?

You can easily book a consultation appointment for our plastic surgery procedures through our website or by contacting our clinic directly. Talk to us today!