Serial Excision for the Treatment of Giant Congenital Melanocytic Nevus: The Vietnamese Way

Abstract

AIM: To investigate the efficacy of plastic surgery in the treatment of giant congenital melanocytic nevus (GCMN).

METHODS:  We enrolled 20 patients with 44 lesions and performed one of the following procedures: serial excision, skin grafting, tissue expansion, primary skin closure, distant flap, and adjacent flap. We assessed the outcome at 10 days and 6 months after surgery.

RESULTS: Of 44 surgical sites, the most commonly used reconstruction surgeries were serial excision (16), skin grafting (16), and tissue expansion (6). Other types were rarely used. All patients with serial excision had good outcome. A total of 81% and 19% of the patients with skin grafting had good and fair outcome, respectively. Around 83% and 17% of the patients with tissue expansion had good and fair outcome. No cases had bad outcome.

CONCLUSION: In conclusion plastic surgery is effective in the treatment of GCMN. There are different techniques but serial excision, skin grafts, and tissue expansion are most commonly used.