Surgical Services

Surgical Services 

Cryosurgery

A minimally invasive treatment typically used for precancerous lesions. This treatment is effective for actinic keratosis, warts, and sometimes superficial basal cell or squamous cell carcinomas. During cryotherapy, the cancerous area is targeted with liquid nitrogen (-197 degrees Celsius) that instantly freezes and destroys the cancerous tissue. You will receive your cryotherapy treatment in the office, often as part of a regular exam. Typically, cryotherapy only takes a few moments to perform and you can return to normal activities immediately after treatment is complete.

Electrodessication & Curretage (ED&C)

This simple surgical procedure that is especially effective for patients with basal cell or squamous cell carcinoma. By removing the cancerous tissue via curettage (scraping), then electrodessication (heating process), our surgeons can safely and effectively eradicate cancerous cells from your body. ED&C is performed in office under local anesthesia and typically takes 20 minutes or less with minimal down time following the procedure. ED&C is recommended for superficial skin cancers located on areas of the body, such as the back or torso.

Wide local excision

Wide local excisions are a minor procedure that surgically removes cancerous cells from the skin. Excisional surgery is an in-office procedure that is usually performed with local anesthesia and is closed with two layers of sutures. Following the procedure, the removed tissue will be sent to our pathology lab to determine if all the cancerous cells were removed. Depending on the location of the cancer, patients are advised to minimize exercise for 2-3 weeks after the procedure, in order to ensure proper wound healing.

Mohs Micrographic Surgery

Mohs micrographic surgery is a procedure that remains one of the most effective skin cancer removal methods available. Developed in the 1930s by Dr. Frederick Mohs, Mohs micrographic surgery is an extremely effective treatment for a variety of skin cancers. It is a tissue sparing technique designed to take the least amount of skin, while assessing borders as the different stages are taken out. Due to its accuracy, high success rate and cosmetically appropriate outcomes, Mohs remains the gold standard for skin cancer removal in certain body locations. The surgical specialists at our office are highly trained to perform this precise surgery with skill and technique refined through years of experience and study.