Skin Cancer Surgery: Excision and Reconstruction Explained

Surgical removal of skin cancer is a core part of plastic and reconstructive surgery — the excision itself removes the cancerous tissue, while reconstruction addresses the resulting defect so the area heals well both functionally and cosmetically, particularly on the face and other visible areas.

The Two Stages

Excision removes the lesion along with a margin of surrounding healthy tissue, confirmed clear of cancer cells on pathology. Reconstruction then closes the resulting defect — sometimes with a simple direct closure, sometimes requiring a skin graft or local flap depending on the size and location of the defect.

Why Reconstruction Technique Matters

• Defects on the face need careful planning to preserve function around the eyes, nose, and mouth
• Larger defects may need a flap rather than a simple graft to achieve durable, well-vascularised coverage
• Reconstruction is planned to work with natural skin creases and contours wherever possible, to minimise visible scarring

What to Expect

The combined excision-and-reconstruction procedure is usually completed in a single session under local or general anaesthesia depending on the size and location of the lesion, with healing and scar maturation following the same general timeline as other reconstructive surgery.

Learn more about reconstructive options on the scar revision procedure page.