title: A simple technique for improving the cosmesis of excision of a melanoma and skin grafting.
abstract: A simple technique is described to reduce the size of the skin defect resulting from excision of a malignant melanoma. An added advantage of this technique is the smoother contour at the native skin to skin graft junction. These effects are achieved by apposing the skin edge to the muscle using a simple pursestring suture technique which simultaneously draws the wound edges centrally. The resultant smaller area to be grafted, smaller donor site, better graft survival and superior cosmesis represent an improvement over conventional skin grafting techniques.
mesh_terms: D004954:Esthetics; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000601:surgery*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013536:Suture Techniques