A Study of Reconstruction Methods for 186 Cases after Complete Excision ofNonmelanoma Skin Cancers / 대한피부과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Skin cancer is divided into two categories, melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer, by its malignant potential. The former is prone to be metastatic and it often requires regional lymph node dissection and chemotherapy, while the latter is rarely metastatic with no need for such further treatment. We report here on the reconstruction methods after surgical removal of skin cancers, with excluding melanoma. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to analyze the reconstruction methods according to the location and size of the lesions after surgical removal of nonmelanoma skin cancers and we report on the clinical findings. METHODS: We analyzed 186 cases of nonmelanoma skin cancers that were treated Between January, 2000 and December, 2006 at the Department of Dermatology, Chonbuk University Hospital. The cases were analyzed according to the reconstruction methods for the defects after surgery, the gender ratio, the age range, the lesion site and the lesion size. RESULTS: The mean age of onset was 67.7 years old. The ratio of men to women was 11.02. The most common nonmelanoma skin cancer was basal cell carcinoma (66.7%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (22.1%), and Bowen's disease (4.3%). The most common site of all the nonmelanoma skin cancers was the face (68.8%), followed by the trunk (7.5%) and scalp (6.5%). The most common reconstruction method was local flap (40.3%), followed by primary closure (38.7%), skin graft (18.8%) and secondary intention (2.2%). In terms of location, the most commonly used method was local flap for the face (50.0%) and primary closure for the trunk (53.3%), scalp (83.3%) and the upper (44.4%) and lower extremities (63.6%). According to the lesions' size, the most common method was flap for tumor between 10 mm and 30 mm in diameter (95.1%), primary closure for tumor less than 10 mm in diameter (66.7%) and graft for tumor greater than 30 mm in diameter (66.7%). CONCLUSION: We offer this data for the reconstruction methods of nonmelanoma skin cancers and their clinical findings in Korea.