Nevus Excision - Tissue Expansion

Plastic surgery is nothing new to my wife and I.  Our older son had a condition, craniosynostosis, just after birth where his skull sutures fused prematurely, which required craniotomy to allow space for normal brain growth.  Our experience at Peoria Children's Hospital at OSF was great so we had a familiar plastic surgeon to work with.  Because this is somewhat new territory we also visited a pediatric plastic specialist at St. Louis Children's.  Both very good at what they do.  The abbreviated version is that nevus removal would require more than one surgery, potentially 3-4.  Roughly 60% of mole is scalp, 30% forehead, 10% eyebrow/eyelid and upper cheek.  Due to this varied tissue make-up this is not a simple one step procedure.

Tissue expansion would be required to remove a majority of the mole in 2-3 surgeries.  Due to the inward and outward pressure involved in the expansion the procedure isn't begun until after the 1st birthday.  So we had some time to think about it.  The interesting thing is one would think the cosmetic concern going through life would be a big piece of the rationale going into the surgery decision.   It wasn't, look at how cute this kid is (even if I say so myself).  Do you really want to cut that up?  Heck no!

The risks of future impact on health and complexity and position of the mole makes surgery a compelling thing for now, not when he is 15 or 25 or later.  Could you imagine walking around high school with scalp expanded out the size of a bowling ball? Not happin'n. Certainly cannot do it, cosmetically right, under the gun if the tissue becomes cancerous.  

The choice was made to excise the mole and have the procedure done at OSF Childrens Hospital in Peoria, IL by Dr. Elwood.

Peoria Children's Hospital at OSF