Skin Cancer Reconstruction Surgery

What is Skin Cancer Reconstruction Surgery?

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer, and it’s especially prevalent here in the Sunshine State. Early detection of skin cancer is crucial to preventing extensive damage, so yearly skin exams are recommended.

Unfortunately, many cases of skin cancers aren’t caught early. When skin cancer develops on prominent areas, like the face or neck, removing the cancerous tissue could impact your appearance. Skin cancer reconstruction surgery can restore your appearance after skin cancer removal. After the skin cancer lesion is removed, Dr. Polecritti can implement reconstructive methods to prevent disfigurement caused by skin cancer. 

The Importance of Skin Cancer Reconstruction

Unfortunately, to fully remove cancerous skin cells, a significant amount of skin tissue may need to be removed. If the tissue is located on the face or neck, removing this tissue may leave a large scar or an indent where the lesion was removed. This can make patients feel self-conscious, especially in social or work settings. 

The goal of skin cancer reconstruction surgery is to minimize the visible effects of skin cancer removal. Various techniques can be implemented to restore the appearance of the treatment area. 

Reconstruction Methods

For small skin cancer lesions, we may be able to use sutures alone to close the incision. The scarring from the incision typically fades in the next 2 years, at which point it won’t impact your appearance. 

If sutures alone won’t restore the appearance of the skin after the lesion is removed, a skin graft may be used. With this method, healthy skin from another part of the body can be secured over the lesion with sutures. 

A local skin flap may also be used for skin cancer reconstruction. With this method, the adjacent tissue is placed over the affected area to cover the scarring. This method is often preferable because it allows for a closer match in tissue color and shape. 

For more information about skin cancer reconstruction surgery, contact the Julian Institute of Plastic Surgery.