title: Dermabrasion of congenital nevocellular nevi: experience in 215 patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The indication for surgical treatment of congenital nevocellular nevi results from aesthetic-cosmetic consideration as well as from the increased risk of melanomatous transformation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We evaluated the outcome after dermabrasion of congenital nevi of different sizes and treated at different ages.
  
  
  METHODS
  215 patients treated by dermabrasion during the years 1979-1995 were examined at a median interval of 24 months postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No postoperative development of malignant melanoma arising from the congenital nevus was seen in any of the patients during the time of follow-up. No serious long-term complications were seen. Hypertrophic scars were seen within parts of the operation field in 14.6%, but in those the cosmetic result was still satisfactory. Permanent reduction of pigmentation to 0-20% as compared with the preoperative status was achieved if treatment was performed within the newborn period. In case of large and giant nevi, permanent removal of pigmentation was better than in small or medium-sized nevi.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dermabrasion proved to be an adequate modality for removal of pigmentation in the therapy of large and giant congenital nevocellular nevi when assessed within 2 years following the procedure. Early treatment is crucial for permanent removal of pigmentation. Long-term effects remain to be adequately monitored.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Städtische Kliniken, Kassel, Germany.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rompel
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Möser
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Petres
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000473:pathology; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017439:Cicatrix, Hypertrophic / Q000209:etiology; D003869:Dermabrasion / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D004954:Esthetics; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006454:Hemoglobins / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D017495:Hyperpigmentation / Q000601:surgery; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000151:congenital* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000151:congenital* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012880:Skin Pigmentation; D013530:Surgical Wound Infection / Q000209:etiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006454:Hemoglobins