MOHS Micrographic Surgery, or MOHS as it is know, is a surgical technique developed in the 1930s by Dr. Frederick MOHS, MD, and later refined in the 1960s by Dr. Perry Robbins, MD, for the treatment of non-melanoma skin caners including, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma. 

The MOHS Surgery procedure involves removing thin layers of tissue, analyzing the tissue for the presence of cancerous cells, and repeating the process a number of times until the surgeon has achieved acceptable margins and the cancer is removed. 

While the surgeon attempts to preserve as much healthy tissue as possible, oftentimes, the location of the skin cancer may result in a visible deformity or scarring. When done on the face, nose or ears, it is likely that scarring or visible deformations of the skin will be present after the skin has healed. 

Although the MOHS Surgery is conducted in one visit, the procedure is laborious and can last hours. Each phase of the MOHS Surgery requires precise attention to detail and takes hours. Each layer of tissue removed from the patient is analyzed by an onsite lab, and using microscopic examination. Once enough layers are removed the surgeon finishes the procedure by repairing the wound and applying dressings and bandaging.

Because the procedure requires cutting and scrapping of the skin, there is pain and a recovery, or healing process associated with the procedure. Since an open wound is created by the procedure, patients are also at risk of possible infection.

For some patients on blood thinners and with other medical conditions, the MOHS Surgery procedure may not be an available option for skin cancer treatment. Fortunately, there is a new option, SRT!