Reconstructive Surgery
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Advantage Dermatology
Medical Dermatology & Cosmetic Dermatology serving Jacksonville, FL, Neptune Beach, FL, Atlantic Beach, FL & Jacksonville Beach, FL
After removal of a lesion or skin cancer, you may be left with scarring or other defects that make you feel self-conscious and less than attractive. At Advantage Dermatology in Jacksonville and Neptune Beach, Florida, board-certified dermatologist Oliver Perez, MD, provides reconstructive surgery to restore the appearance of any treated areas. Call today to learn more or use the online tool to schedule a consultation.
Reconstructive Surgery Q&A
Who benefits from reconstructive surgery?
If you’ve had a large skin cancer lesion removed or recurrent skin cancer in one area, you might be left with a noticeable wound or defect. Sometimes, this wound is larger than expected and involves a prominent feature, like your lip or cheek.
Dr. Perez performs reconstructive surgery once all malignant (or cancerous) cells are removed. The goal of reconstructive surgery is to camouflage the treated area and restore function and appearance.
When is reconstructive surgery done?
Dr. Perez may do reconstructive surgery at the time of your skin cancer excision or delay this step for a future visit. He determines what’s best for you, depending on the nature of the excision or surgical site, your skin’s health, and the time necessary for reconstruction.
What is involved in reconstructive surgery?
Reconstructive surgery often includes local tissue rearrangement using skin grafts and flaps. Dr. Perez also reconstructs any muscle, bone, or cartilage removed during surgery.
Skin grafts and flaps are necessary when a wound is too large to heal on its own. Dr. Perez chooses skin grafts from a donor site on your own body. He’ll look for an inconspicuous place from which to take the skin graft or flap so there is minimal scarring. He’ll also choose a site that closely matches the skin color and texture in the area of the wound.
What is the difference between a skin graft and a skin flap?
Skin flaps have their own blood supply, while skin grafts do not. When a skin graft is unlikely to survive in the new location, Dr. Perez opts for a skin flap because it has its own blood supply.
Reconstruction of areas where Mohs surgery occurred is often done with skin grafts from adjacent healthy skin. After being applied over your wound, new blood vessels form within 3-4 days and communicate with the grafted skin.
Flaps are fatter selections of tissue that still retain their original blood supply. Dr. Perez uses flaps to cover exposed bone, tendons, organs, and major blood vessels. Flaps can contain skin, fat, and/or muscle.
Set up a consultation to learn more about the reconstructive techniques used at Advantage Dermatology. Call one of the locations or use the online tool to book.
