Surgical Dermatology and Mohs Surgery
Dr. Jacobson will create a customized surgical plan, which may include Mohs surgery, surgical excision, or another procedure. She will often perform a pre-operative consultation before the procedure and answer all your questions. We will also guide you through your pre- and post-operative care.
Our Services Include
Mohs Micrographic Surgery
Surgical excision (wide local excision)
Staged excision (“Slow Mohs”)
Facial reconstruction following skin cancer removal
Other In-Office Procedures
Mohs Micrographic Surgery
An extremely precise outpatient surgery that spares the surrounding healthy tissue, Mohs surgery has the highest cure rate for many skin cancers. It is often used for skin cancers on the head, neck, hands, feet, shin, and groin. The tissue is examined in the office by Dr. Jacobson while the patient waits. Once the cancer is completely removed, Dr. Jacobson performs reconstructive procedures, usually on the same day.
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Mohs surgery was developed by Frederic E. Mohs, MD, in the 1930s and has been refined over time to offer the highest cure rate for many skin cancers. It is a targeted outpatient surgery with a high cure rate for various skin cancers. It is often used for skin cancers on the head, neck, hands, feet, shin, and groin, and can also be used for large or aggressive cancers on the trunk and extremities.
The Mohs procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia, where the Mohs surgeon, Dr. Jacobson, examines the tissue under a microscope at the time of removal. If there is evidence of cancer, the process continues layer by layer until the cancer is completely removed. This is often completed in a single day. Once the cancer is fully removed, Dr. Jacobson, who is trained in reconstructive procedures, will determine the best method to repair the wound. A small wound may be allowed to heal on its own, or it may be closed with sutures, a skin graft, or a flap. For aggressive tumors, Dr. Jacobson may coordinate further care and monitoring with other specialists, such as radiation oncology, ENT, and plastic surgery, as part of a team approach.
Surgical Excision
Surgical excision is an outpatient procedure in which the tissue is removed with a safety margin. The wound is then either allowed to heal on its own or is closed with sutures, staples, a skin flap, or a skin graft. The tissue is sent to a pathologist to determine if it has been fully removed.
Staged Excision
This is a multi-day, stepwise procedure often referred to as 'Slow Mohs.' It is commonly used to treat melanoma in situ on the head and neck. The lesion is removed with a surgical margin, and the tissue is sent to a pathologist for analysis. The patient will return several days later to have additional cancerous tissue removed, if necessary, or to have the wound sutured closed.