SKIN SURGERY

Non-melanoma skin cancer surgery (NMSC)

Unfortunately New Zealand has among the highest international rates of facial skin cancer due to our increased exposure to UV radiation. The most common forms of skin cancer are Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) and Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) which are usually curable with surgical excision.

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Non-melanoma skin cancer surgery — clinical reference

Quick answer about this procedure

QUICK ANSWER

Surgical excision and aesthetic reconstruction of non-melanoma skin cancers of the face — principally Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma. As maxillofacial surgeons trained in facial plastic surgical techniques, our surgeons provide a broad range of reconstructive options including local skin flaps and skin grafts.

Procedure
Excision + aesthetic reconstruction
Anaesthesia
Local · Sedation · GA
Duration
30 min – 2 hrs
Stay
Day-stay or 1 night
Recovery
Sutures out 5–14 days

IS THIS FOR YOU?

OMFS referral for NMSC is appropriate when:

  • A facial BCC or SCC requires excision with aesthetic reconstruction
  • The lesion involves a cosmetically sensitive subunit (nose, eyelid, lip, ear)
  • Local skin flap or skin graft reconstruction will improve the result
  • A larger or recurrent lesion requires definitive surgical management
  • Coordinated care with a dermatologist or histopathologist is needed
WHO PERFORMS THIS

The surgeons who perform this procedure

Both surgeons listed below perform this procedure at OMS Specialists. Each carries dual qualifications in medicine and dentistry plus Fellowship from the Royal Australasian or English College.

Mr Richard Cobb, Specialist Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

Mr Richard Cobb

Specialist Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

BDS · MBBS · MFDS(Eng) · MRCS(Eng) · DHMSA · FRCS(OMFS)

  • Oral Surgery
  • Jaw Surgery
  • Facial Surgery
  • Skin Surgery
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Mr Ryan Smit, Specialist Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

Mr Ryan Smit

Specialist Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

BDS · MBChB · MRACDS(PDS) · FRACDS(OMS)

  • Oral Surgery
  • Jaw Surgery
  • Facial Surgery
  • Skin Surgery
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RECOVERY TIMELINE

Recovery timeline

  • 0–2 days

    First 24–48 hours

    Local discomfort, dressings to the surgical site, and simple analgesia. Day-stay procedure for most cases.

    Red flags · Heavy bleeding, fever over 38.5°C, or severe pain not relieved by prescribed medication.

  • 7–14 days

    Day 7–14

    Sutures are removed at 7 to 14 days depending on site. Histopathology with margin assessment is usually available within 1 to 2 weeks.

  • 6–12 months

    Month 6–12

    Scar maturation over 6 to 12 months. Annual skin checks and coordination with your dermatologist are advised.

RISKS & HONESTY

Risks we discuss before consent

  • Incomplete margins or recurrence

    Histopathology confirms whether margins are clear. Incomplete margins may require further surgery, and recurrence can occur years later, hence the need for ongoing skin surveillance.

  • Scarring and reconstructive outcome

    All excision leaves a scar. We use facial plastic surgical techniques including local skin flaps and skin grafts to optimise the result, but final appearance varies with site and individual healing.

  • Altered sensation

    Numbness around the surgical site is common in the early weeks and usually recovers over months.

  • Functional changes (eyelid, lip, nostril)

    Surgery on or near functional structures (eyelid, lip, nostril) may transiently alter function. Careful reconstruction minimises this risk.

FREQUENTLY ASKED

Common questions about NMSC surgery

Why have an OMFS surgeon manage my facial skin cancer?

Our surgeons are specifically trained in the management of skin cancer of the face, with an emphasis on aesthetic reconstruction. As maxillofacial surgeons trained in facial plastic surgical techniques, they also provide a broad range of reconstructive options which may involve local skin flaps or skin grafts. For lesions in cosmetically sensitive subunits — nose, eyelid, lip, ear — the reconstructive technique materially affects the final aesthetic result.

Will I need ongoing skin surveillance?

Yes. Patients who have had one NMSC are at increased risk of further skin cancers. Annual skin checks with your GP or dermatologist, regular self-examination, and rigorous sun protection are all important. We coordinate the surveillance pathway with your dermatologist.

Will scar revision be possible if I am unhappy with the result?

Scar maturation continues over 6 to 12 months and most scars continue to soften well beyond a year. Where the final result is not as desired, scar revision can be considered once the scar has fully matured.

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