Mohs Reconstruction
Removing skin cancer from visible areas like the nose, lips, eyes, or cheeks leaves a wound that requires careful, precise repair. At Knoxville Center for Dermatology & Plastic Surgery, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Fowler performs expert Mohs reconstruction to close surgical defects and restore natural facial harmony. While Mohs skin cancer removal is performed by a Mohs surgeon, our team seamlessly steps in to repair the wound—ensuring you receive the surgical care you will need to achieve the safest and best-looking results possible.
Closes surgical defects and reconstructs natural facial features following Mohs skin cancer removal.
Typically 1 to 2 hours, performed under local anesthesia in an outpatient setting.
Most patients return to light, daily activities within 5 to 7 days.
Minimizes scarring and preserves natural facial symmetry and function.
Mohs reconstruction is a specialized plastic surgery procedure focused on repairing skin defects left behind after Mohs micrographic skin cancer removal. Because Mohs surgery prioritizes removing all cancer cells, the resulting defect can vary in size and depth, particularly on delicate facial structures.
Mohs reconstruction focuses on closing these open wounds while maintaining aesthetic balance and functional movement.
Depending on the size, location, and depth of your surgical defect, Dr. Daniel Fowler will employ tailored reconstructive techniques:
Mohs reconstruction is typically scheduled on the same day as your Mohs cancer removal or within 24 to 48 hours afterward. On the day of your reconstruction in our Papermill Drive office, our medical team ensures you feel completely comfortable and at ease. Local anesthesia is administered to numb the treatment area completely.
Dr. Fowler evaluates the wound shape, structural depth, and surrounding skin elasticity. Using precise plastic surgery techniques, he carefully shifts adjacent tissue flaps or places a skin graft to fill the defect without distorting nearby facial features like the eyelids, nostrils, or lips. Incisions are closed with fine sutures, and protective dressings are applied to support proper initial healing.
Mohs reconstruction surgery directly repairs facial wounds created during skin cancer surgery:
Mohs reconstruction is most commonly performed on high-visibility facial zones including the nose, eyelids, lips, cheeks, ears, forehead, and chin.
Mohs reconstructive plastic surgery restores both physical appearance and essential function following skin cancer removal.
Minimized Visible Scarring
By hiding incision lines along natural facial creases and wrinkle lines, Dr. Fowler ensures your final result blends smoothly with your surrounding skin.
Preserved Facial Function
Expert reconstruction prevents tight scar tissue from distorting facial expressions, interfering with breathing through the nose, or pulling on the eyelids.
Any individual who has undergone or is scheduled for Mohs skin cancer removal on the face or body is a candidate for Mohs reconstruction. Reconstruction is ideal for patients who want expert closure from a board-certified plastic surgeon to minimize scarring and maintain facial symmetry. During your consultation, tell Dr. Fowler about your cancer removal timeline, medical history, and any blood-thinning medications you take.
Recovery requires taking time to care for your surgical site while the tissue seals and heals. Mild swelling, tightness, and bruising around the reconstructive site are normal during the first few days and are easily managed with prescribed or over-the-counter medication.
Most patients feel comfortable returning to light daily tasks within 5 to 7 days. Facial sutures are typically removed in our office within 5 to 10 days. Strenuous activity, heavy lifting, and bending over should be avoided for 2 weeks to prevent pressure on healing tissue flaps or skin grafts.
You will see immediate structural closure of your wound right after surgery. Final cosmetic results refine over 3 to 6 months as surgical swelling fully resolves, redness fades, and incision lines blend into natural skin creases.
Because local flaps or skin grafts integrate permanently with surrounding tissue, your functional and aesthetic results are long-lasting. Diligent daily sun protection and routine skin cancer screenings with our dermatology team will help protect your long-term skin health.
At Knoxville Center for Dermatology & Plastic Surgery, your reconstruction is guided by board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Daniel Fowler. Our unique practice model brings plastic surgeons, board-certified dermatologists, and licensed aestheticians together under one roof on Papermill Drive in Knoxville, TN. We work closely with your Mohs surgeon to coordinate prompt, compassionate reconstructive care that prioritizes your safety, comfort, and peace of mind.
Our practice focuses on performing the reconstructive surgery to close and repair the wound after your skin cancer has been removed by a Mohs surgeon.
Reconstruction is typically performed on the same day as your Mohs procedure or within 24 to 48 hours after cancer clearance is confirmed.
Any surgical incision leaves a scar, but Dr. Fowler uses precise plastic surgery techniques to hide incision lines and minimize scar visibility. The scar will be far smaller and less visible than without Mohs reconstruction.
Local anesthesia keeps the area completely numb during surgery. Most patients experience only mild soreness and tightness during initial healing, easily managed with routine pain medication.
Because Mohs reconstruction is a medically necessary procedure to repair a wound following skin cancer treatment, it is typically covered by medical insurance. Our office helps verify coverage details prior to your procedure.
