Four ways Specialty Reconstructive Expertise + Mohs surgery supports the best outcomes for skin cancer treatment

Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Laurence Kirwan takes an exacting approach to all procedures performed at his practice in Norwalk, Connecticut. Mohs Micrographic Surgery (MMS) is lauded for its precision. So, it is a particularly good fit and a welcome complement to our vast array of treatments at Kirwan Plastic Surgery. It is also providing a new lease on life for individuals who have been diagnosed with challenging skin cancers. To acquaint you with this highly successful, potential treatment option, we have isolated four key facts about the MMS process and our role in it as specialists in reconstructive surgery.

No. 1: It’s the most effective treatment available today.

MMS involves removing the layers of tissue around the cancer in concentric circles. As each layer is removed, the tissue is examined using microscopic means. If cancer cells are still present, more tissue is removed. If no cancer cells are visible, the process stops. Due to this highly precise approach, it has an unparalleled success rate, even for cancers previously treated through other means and techniques. 

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No. 2: It supports an unmatched, tissue-preserving approach 

As a plastic surgery practice, we also appreciate that the Mohs technique is particularly appropriate for hard-to-miss and sensitive areas, such as skin cancers on the nose, ears, and close to the eyes. It may also be suitable for “functionally-important” areas, such as the hands and feet. A dermatologist could also recommend Mohs for cancers with poorly defined borders or other challenges (located near scar tissue, very large, or an aggressive subtype). This approach helps to support the most cosmetic results for cancers, as it only removes the necessary cancer cell-containing tissue. Otherwise, healthy tissue is left intact. 

No. 3: MMS lends itself well to our reconstructive expertise.

While the precise nature of Mohs on its face supports optimal treatment outcomes and cosmetic results, Dr. Kirwan often works with dermatologists and dermatology practices to ensure the most natural-looking results and minimize complications. It is particularly important to enlist the expertise of a specialist like Dr. Kirwan when the cancer is in a “critical” area, such as on the forehead or lips. 

No. 4: MMS can be performed “on your schedule.” 

You may opt to have the closure or reconstructive procedure performed on the same day as the MMS/excisional surgery to remove your tumor. Or, you may have the reconstruction performed at Kirwan Plastic Surgery on a different day. Whatever the case, patients need to know that how the skin is repaired following the skin cancer excision procedure matters. If the skin or surgical site is not closed, reconstructed, or repaired properly immediately afterward, it may be a formidable (if not impossible) proposition to “fix” the unfavorable result. If, for example, scars are not properly orientated to the natural skin creases or were stitched with absorbable sutures, permanent discoloration and blemishes can be left behind once the site heals. 

Our expertise makes a difference. We see partnerships with dermatologists and Mohs Micrographic Surgeons as an important element in the healing process. You want to get back to feeling like your vibrant “normal” self again without highly visible reminders of the past trauma of your cancer diagnosis. To speak with Dr. Kirwan, request a consultation today. Our team in Norwalk, Connecticut, can be reached at (475) 250-1581.

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