title: Flap reconstruction following wide local excision for primary malignant melanoma of the head and neck region.
abstract: There has been an increase in the incidence of malignant melanomas over the past few decades. Wide excisions of melanomas of the face may result in significant deformities if covered by skin grafts. We treated 36 consecutive patients with skin flap coverage over the last decade and report the safety, versatility, and cosmetic appeal of this technique.
authors.affiliation: Section of Plastic Surgery, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT.
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Lent
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ariyan
mesh_terms: D002610:Cheek; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D037981:Neck Dissection; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors