Surgical Procedures - Skin Cancers
Skin Cancer Excision + Graft
Skin cancer excision with a skin graft is a procedure used to remove cancerous or suspicious skin lesions and repair the resulting defect using healthy skin taken from another part of the body.
How is this procedure performed?
The lesion is carefully excised along with a margin of surrounding healthy tissue to ensure complete cancer removal. Once the area is cleared, a thin layer of skin is harvested from a donor site, commonly the thigh, collarbone area and placed over the excision site. The graft is secured with sutures, staples and dressings to help it adhere and establish a blood supply.
Downtime
Recovery time depends on the size and location of the excision and graft but most patients require about 1–3 weeks before returning to light daily activities. Both the graft site and donor site need careful protection during healing and dressings are typically maintained over several weeks. Swelling, tenderness and tightness are common early on and full healing continues over several weeks to months.
Scars
Scarring will be present at both the excision site and the donor site. The treated area may heal as a flat, slightly indented, or uneven patch that can gradually fade in colour over time. The donor site usually leaves a thin line or a patch of changed texture depending on the size of skin taken. While scars generally soften and become less noticeable over time, their final appearance varies.
Skin Cancer Excision + Flap
Skin cancer excision with a flap reconstruction is a surgical procedure used to remove cancerous skin and repair the resulting defect using nearby healthy tissue.
How is this procedure performed?
The cancer is excised with a margin of surrounding healthy tissue to ensure complete removal. Instead of taking skin from another body site (as in a graft), a “flap” is created by partially cutting and repositioning adjacent skin and underlying tissue to cover the wound. The flap remains attached to its original blood supply, which helps it survive and heal in the new position.
Downtime
Recovery generally involves 2–4 weeks of reduced activity, depending on the size and location of the flap. Swelling, bruising, tightness and mild discomfort are common in the first couple of weeks. Dressings are be used and care is needed to avoid tension or pressure on the surgical site while it heals. Full recovery continues over several weeks to months.
Scars
Scarring is usually more extensive than with a simple excision, as flap surgery involves both the excision site and the area where the skin is moved from. The final scar often forms a line or curved pattern that blends into natural skin folds where possible. Over time, scars typically soften and fade.