Mohs Surgery
At Mountain Dermatology Specialists, we offer services in Mohs surgery patients in need of this specialized surgery for their skin cancers. Our Mohs surgeons, Dr. Jean Urquhart and Dr. Lauren Bonati have completed specialized training with expert Mohs surgeons and plastic surgeons.
Our Mohs Specialists
Dr. Jean Liu Urquhart is triple board-certified in Dermatology, Dermatopathology and Mohs Surgery. Dr. Urquhart completed an internship in surgery and trained with expert Mohs surgeons during her residency. Her fellowship training and certification in Dermatopathology brings additional expertise to evaluating specimens during the Mohs procedure.
Dr. Lauren Meshkov Bonati is double board-certified in Dermatology and Mohs Surgery. She was trained by internationally recognized procedural dermatology pioneers from Harvard, Dartmouth, and Brown University. She completed Mohs Surgery fellowship under the tutelage of nationally recognized Mohs surgeons and plastic surgeons. She received her fellowship diploma from the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery.
What is Mohs surgery?
Mohs surgery is a method of removing skin cancer named after and invented by Dr. Frederic Mohs, an otolaryngologist at the University of Wisconsin. In Mohs surgery, a map of the skin cancer is created and a layer of skin is removed and evaluated under the microscope while the patient waits. What is unique to Mohs surgery is that the entire surgical margin of the skin layer is evaluated to determine if residual skin cancer is present or if the skin cancer is clear. If the margin is positive, then another layer is taken where it is positive on the map. This process is repeated until the entire skin cancer has been removed. Mohs surgery ensures the margins are clear before surgical closure of the skin cancer site. Closures of the surgical sites are performed by the Mohs surgeon. Typically, the skin cancer removal and the closure are performed on the same day.
While Mohs surgery was invented by Dr. Frederic Mohs who was an otolaryngologist, dermatologists embraced learning, practicing and teaching the Mohs surgery technique. Thus, the majority of Mohs surgeons are dermatologists. Many dermatologists are exposed to Mohs surgery during their residency training. Some dermatologists pursue additional training in selective competitive fellowship programs for Mohs surgery. training with expert Mohs surgeons and plastic surgeons during her fellowship.
Do all skin cancers require Mohs surgery?
No. There is a wide variety of skin cancers and only certain types can be evaluated by the Mohs technique. Basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas on the head and neck area are the most common types treated by Mohs surgery. There are other scenarios and skin cancer types that may be treated with Mohs surgery. Criteria that are considered include location, size, skin cancer type, history of previous treatment and comorbidities. Our dermatologists at MDS take all these factors into consideration before recommending Mohs surgery or other skin cancer treatments.