*See pre-operative and post-operative instructions at the bottom of the page

Mohs surgery

Mohs surgery is an effective and highly specialized technique for removing skin cancers.

WHY MOHS?

Mohs micrographic surgery is mainly used to treat basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, but also many other skin cancers such as certain melanomas.

Minor Surgeries and Mohs Surgeries:

Certain excisions of malignant and premalignant tumors and benign tumors are carried out on site at Dr. Alain’s clinic in a modern surgical room.

For cases where Mohs surgery is indicated, the procedure takes place at Dr. Alain’s clinic or more rarely at the Center for Clinical and Evaluative Research in Oncology (CRCEO)

Mohs surgery is indicated:

when the cancer is located in an area where it is important to preserve as much healthy tissue as possible for an optimal functional and aesthetic result (eyelids, nose, ears, lips, fingers, toes, genitals, etc.);
when the cancer returns;
when cancer occurs on a scar;
when the cancer is large;
when the margins of the cancer are not clear and clear;
when the cancer is growing quickly or when it is out of control.
Several other treatments may be adequate.

Often the cancer is excised with margins varying between 0.4 and 2.0 cm, depending on the type of cancer. Some carcinomas can also be “scraped” and destroyed using electricity (curettage and electrodessication). Certain treatments applicable to the skin can be used to avoid surgery. These treatments are only indicated if the cancer is superficial. Radiotherapy is very rarely used for skin cancers. It is mainly used when local control is difficult or when the patient cannot be operated on, which is extremely rare, as surgeries under local anesthesia are easily tolerated by patients.

Medical references

Except for aesthetic consultations, a referral from a doctor is required to obtain a consultation (oncology).

To meet Dr. Alain, you must be recommended by your family doctor or another specialist doctor (dermatologist, ENT surgeon, plastic surgeon or other). The latter will have seen a suspicious lesion or even carried out one or more biopsies which will confirm the presence of a cancerous tumor.

Your attending physician will send us the consultation request by fax, or will give it to you in person so that you have it with you during the evaluation.

Mohs surgery –

Pre-operative information

Preoperative instructions

Do not take Aspirin®, Entrophen®, Advil® or Motrin® at least 1 week before surgery. These products have the effect of “thinning” the blood and can be the cause of bleeding during or after surgery. Use acetaminophen (e.g. Tylenol®) if you have pain of any cause.

Eat normally the day before surgery as well as the morning of. You don’t have to be fasting, because you won’t be asleep. Avoid alcohol 2 days before and 2 days after surgery. If your surgery is near the mouth, you will need to eat fairly soft foods for a few days after surgery.

Wash hair the day before or the morning of surgery.

Sometimes surgery takes place in a hospital. If so, you can bring your lunch or go to the cafe.

Wear comfortable clothes that you will not have to pull over your head after surgery.

Avoid wearing makeup.

Have a relative or friend accompany you on the day of surgery or who can come and drive you back and pick you up.

If you do not live in Quebec, you may have to spend the night in town the day before surgery or the evening after surgery. Discuss this with the nurse or your doctor.

You may need equipment for your wound care (see “Wound care” section).

The parking lot for Dr. Alain’s clinic is located at the rear of the building, avenue Wilfrid Pelletier.

Prepare for a long boring day of 3 and 8 hours depending on the severity of the cases. 80% of that time is spent waiting. Bring some reading, your laptop, or office work to fill this time.

Mohs surgery –

Post-operative information

Caring for your surgical wound

Necessary material :

Antibiotic ointment (Fucidin, Bactroban, Polysporin or sterile petroleum jelly can also do the trick);

Sterilized salt water (1 cup boiled water – 250 ml – with 1 tsp salt). This water can be kept for 4-5 days at room temperature or 7 days in the refrigerator; some companies offer water spray which will have a similar effect (Laroche Posay™ or Avène™ thermal water);

Cotton swabs (mounted swabs — “Q-tips”);

If you want to cover the wound during the first week: Telfa™ and Micropore™ paper diachylon (3M) which does not contain glue, so you will not be allergic to this product even if you have already had allergies to conventional adhesive dressings .

Technique :

Remove the dressing 24 hours after surgery;
Clean the wound twice a day using cotton swabs moistened in salt water or thermal water;
Salt water will soften, weaken and remove crusts of dried blood and other small debris on the wound (line of stitches);
After the wound has been thoroughly cleaned, apply ointment with cotton swabs;
This should be done 1-2 times a day for up to a week after the stitches have been removed;
The wound will heal satisfactorily if left in the open air, covered with ointment only;
However, if for cosmetic reasons you prefer to cover the wound, apply a small Telfa™ dressing and hold it in place with a Micropore™ adhesive dressing. You can also use standard adhesive bandages.

If pain:

Take acetaminophen (eg, Tylenol®).
Do not take Aspirin®, Entrophen®, Advil® or Motrin® for pain relief for 3 days after surgery.
Avoid alcohol consumption for 2 days after surgery.

If you have had a skin graft (skin taken in front of the ear or on the shoulder):

Keep the cotton ball that covers your wound moist and cover it with plenty of ointment after having moistened it with water, do this twice a day: a humid environment will prevent the graft from drying;
In case of grafting, have the stitches removed 1 week after surgery, for the donor site, the stitches are removed 1 week after surgery (if the skin was taken in front of the ear) or 2 weeks (if the skin was taken taken on the shoulder);
Once the stitches are removed, apply ointment to the wounds for 1 more week.

Use of the extra-thin Duoderm® dressing:

Clean the wound with sterile salt water or thermal water;
Apply the extra-thin Duoderm® dressing;
Change the dressing 2 to 3 times a day for the first week due to oozing from the wound;
Thereafter, once a day only.
An ointment containing silicone promotes better healing. Ask Dr Alain’s team for more information.

CONTACT US

infoquebec@vicpark.com

Tel : 418-780-2372

Surgery fax : 418.661.2476

Dermatology fax : 418.650.1260

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FIND US

3075 Ch des Quatre-Bourgeois, Québec , suites 302-303, G1W 4Y5

*Please note that the parking for VicParkQuebec is accessible via Wilfrid-Pelletier Street at the back of the building.

Victoria Park Medispa QuEbec Cancellation Policy