Skin Reconstruction
Rebuilding Your Skin Following Dermatology Treatment
Following skin cancer treatment, growth removal, or the removal of moles, reconstruction may be necessary to close the wound in a way that will leave minimal scarring. Sometimes these procedures must take place in areas such as the nose or eyelids. Dr. Geoff Basler has specialized training in reconstructive surgery. Skin reconstruction treatments such as skin grafting and skin flaps can help you to enjoy the benefits of your surgery while bearing as few physical reminders as possible. To learn more about how skin reconstruction procedures are performed at our Lincoln, Beatrice, and Nebraska City offices, please contact us today. We also have offices in Blair, Crete, Falls City, Fremont, Geneva, Hastings, and York.
Primary Closure
Often the simplest repair is the best. Closing a wound side-to-side or in a linear layered closure results in a thin white line. Dr. Basler takes time to hide this scar in a natural skin tension line such as the expression lines of the forehead. For example, sometimes he fashions a curvilinear scar to fall within the smile lines of the cheek.
M-plasty
When a circle or oval wound is brought together in a primary closure, cones of excess tissue form at either end. These cones are called “dog ears” and must be removed to allow for a smooth, clean result. An M-plasty is a specialized technique Dr. Basler often uses to repair these “dog ears” that shortens the scar considerably, to be hidden in natural skin tension lines. To learn more about this and other skin reconstruction techniques, contact our Lincoln practice today.
Skin Graft
Depending upon the extent of the treatment you receive, the resulting wound could be large enough that simple closure with sutures is not practical. In this case, your dermatologist may recommend a skin graft. A skin graft involves healthy skin being removed from one part of your body – usually an area covered by clothing – and subsequently spread over the wound. The skin graft is held in place with bandages or minimal stitching. Over the first three to five days following placement, blood vessels will begin to grow from the wound into the graft, providing nutrients. The graft may never look like the surrounding skin, but you can expect the appearance of the graft to improve dramatically over the next few months, becoming fully integrated after about a year.
Skin Flap
Another option for closing wounds left after growth removal and other procedures is a skin flap. Tissue adjacent to the removal site can be repositioned to cover it, and the resulting wound can be strategically closed with sutures in a way that will result in the least amount of scarring possible.
Learn More about Reconstructive Skin Treatments
Removal of unhealthy or cancerous growths from your skin can leave you with wounds that require special consideration to ensure the most pleasing cosmetic outcome. During your consultations for your skin cancer treatment, mole removal or other procedure, Dr. Basler can begin recommending the appropriate means of skin reconstruction to meet your needs and leave you with the faintest possible physical remnants of your treatment. To learn more about how skin reconstruction performed at our Lincoln, Nebraska office and its satellite locations can help you please contact us today.