title: [Giant congenital nevus: past, present and future].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The suitable cutaneous covering for big defects secondary to the removal of giant pigmented lesions has not been obtained yet. Nevus that affect a corporal surface bigger than 75%, have no curative treatment and in the cases of smaller nevus therapeutical possibilities are complex, take too much time and provide unfavourable aesthetic results.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nineteen patients suffering giant congenital nevus (GCN) have been treated in the last eight years. The GCN affected back (8), scalp (3), face and neck (3), extremities (2), thorax and abdomen (2) and buttocks (1).
  
  
  RESULTS
  There has been no melanoma case and all the cases showed a congenital melanocitic nevus as histological result, with plexiforme underlying plexiform neurofibroma in two of them. The treatment was: removal using expansors (6), removal and skin graft (5), multiple sequential removals (7), and removals using a covering of cultured keratinocites (1).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To sum up, it is essential to choose the technique depending on the individual, taking into account the location, measurement, age and social conditions. In addition to that, the treatment shouldd be the earliest, the most effective, the fastest and the most secure. Moreover, it is very important to know every surgical technique well.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009506:Nevus / Q000151:congenital* / Q000601:surgery; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000151:congenital* / Q000601:surgery
vernacular_title: Nevus congénitos gigantes: pasado, presente y futuro.