DRAFT · pending surgeon review
SKIN SURGERY

Post-Mohs reconstruction

Reconstructive surgery to repair a skin defect on the face, scalp or neck following Mohs micrographic surgery, restoring both function and appearance.

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Close-up of healed facial skin around the nose and cheek after Mohs reconstruction, softly lit and anonymised.

Quick answer about this procedure

QUICK ANSWER

Once a Mohs surgeon has fully removed a skin cancer, the defect left behind often needs careful reconstruction. Our surgeons repair these defects using facial plastic surgical techniques, choosing the approach that best restores function and appearance for the site.

Procedure
Reconstruction of a Mohs defect
Anaesthesia
Local · Sedation · General
Stay
Day-stay (most cases)
Recovery
Sutures out 5–14 days

IS THIS FOR YOU?

Post-Mohs reconstruction is usually considered when:

  • A skin cancer has been removed by Mohs micrographic surgery, leaving a defect
  • The defect is on the face, scalp or neck
  • Closure needs more than simple direct suturing to achieve a good result
  • A local flap or skin graft will optimise function and appearance
  • Coordination with your Mohs surgeon will help plan the repair

Understanding the anatomy

Illustration of a schematic face showing resting skin tension lines and local skin-flap incision designs overlaid across the skin surface.
Resting skin tension lines guide the placement of flap incisions, helping repairs heal with a more natural appearance after Mohs defect reconstruction.
WHO PERFORMS THIS

The surgeons who perform this procedure

All three 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 of Surgeons.

Mr Richard Cobb, Specialist Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

Mr Richard Cobb

Specialist Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

MBBS · BDS · MFDS(Eng.) · MRCS(Eng.) · DHMSA · FRCS (Maxfac.)

  • 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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Mr Simon Roberts, Specialist Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon

Mr Simon Roberts

Specialist Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon

MBBS · BDS · FRCS(OMFS)

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

Recovery timeline

  • 0–2 days

    First 24–48 hours

    Dressings over the repair, local discomfort and simple analgesia. Most reconstructions are day-stay.

    Red flags · Heavy bleeding not slowed by gentle pressure, fever over 38°C, or pain not relieved by prescribed medication.

  • 5–14 days

    Day 5–14

    Sutures are removed between 5 and 14 days depending on the site. The repair begins to settle.

  • 6–12 months

    Month 6–12

    The scar matures over 6 to 12 months. Sun protection of the area during this window helps the final result.

RISKS & HONESTY

Risks we discuss before consent

  • Scarring and appearance

    All reconstruction leaves a scar. Facial plastic surgical technique is used to optimise the result, though final appearance varies with the site and individual healing.

  • Flap or graft healing

    Occasionally part of a flap or graft does not heal as expected and may need further care or revision. Careful technique and aftercare reduce this risk.

  • Altered sensation

    Numbness around the repair is common early on and usually improves over the following months.

  • Donor site

    Where skin is taken for a graft, the donor site has its own short healing period and temporary soreness.

FREQUENTLY ASKED

Common questions about post-Mohs reconstruction

What is the difference between Mohs surgery and post-Mohs reconstruction?

Mohs micrographic surgery is a technique for removing a skin cancer with precise margin control, usually performed by a dermatologist or Mohs surgeon. Once the cancer is fully removed, the defect that remains is repaired. Post-Mohs reconstruction is that repair, using the most appropriate method to restore function and appearance.

Will my Mohs surgeon and the reconstructive surgeon work together?

Yes. We coordinate with your Mohs surgeon so the repair is planned around the defect and timed appropriately.

RELATED PROCEDURES

Other procedures patients consider

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