[Surgical excision of giant congenital naevi: how far can we go with surgery?]

Abstract

Surgical excision of giant congenital nevi is recommended by principle for dermatological reasons. Malignant potential is real but its incidence remains widely discussed. Their excision represents a surgical challenge but is also a real assault course for the child and his family. The sequelae and the psychological effects can be important. Can an incomplete excision to limit these aesthetic after-effects and relieve the surgical treatment be acceptable? We present the case of a child affected by a giant congenital nevi of the cephalic extremity where the excision was partial. A review of the literature on the degenerative risk of the giant congenital nevi allowed us of noticed that this one tends to be overestimated. The advantages and the disadvantages to practise a preventive, premature excision and complete of the giant congenital nevi are approached. We discuss the possibility to resort to a partial excision in certain cases delicate of reconstruction under the cover of a strict and moved closer dermatological surveillance.