Surgical Management of Acral Lentiginous Melanoma on Extremities

ABSTRACT

The ALM(acral lentiginous melanoma) on extremities are less common and less well studied. The purpose of the study is to investigate the surgical management for 19 cases of ALM on extremities for last 10 years. When tumor depth was less than 1.5mm on thumb, the lesion was removed with distal periosteum and full skin through degloving procedure and the defect was covered with wrap around procedure. When tumor depth was more than 1.5mm, distal amputation of thumb was performed, and new thumb was reconstructed through bone graft and wrap-around procedure. The ALM on palm was treated with wide excision, and then reconstruction was performed with reversed radial island flap. Because heel was required for weight bearing, the defect of heel after wide tumor resection was reconstructed with volume rich free flap. During 3 years follow-up period, local recurrence and general metastasis was 0% respectively in cases of tumor depth below 1.5mm. In cases of tumor depth more than 1.5mm, local recurrence and general metastasis rate were 0% and 20% respectively. In terms of function, the reconstructed thumb could have ability of pinch and grasp, and the reconstructed heel could be achieved good contour and weight bearing function.