Chinese Journal of Dermatology ›› 2022, Vol. 55 ›› Issue (1): 65-67.doi: 10.35541/cjd.20200265

• Dermatologic Surgery • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Tumescent anesthesia combined with skin and soft tissue expansion for the repair of 41 cases of congenital giant melanocytic nevi

Zhao Tao, Guo Weinan, Chen Hui, Wang Gang, Li Bing   

  1. Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, The Fourth Military Medical University, Xi′an 710032, China
  • Received:2020-03-17 Revised:2021-01-23 Online:2022-01-15 Published:2021-12-31
  • Contact: Li Bing E-mail:xjlibing@fmmu.edu.cn

Abstract: 【Abstract】 Objective To investigate the efficacy of tumescent anesthesia combined with skin and soft tissue expansion for the repair of congenital giant melanocytic nevi. Methods From July 2015 to December 2019, 41 patients with congenital giant melanocytic nevi, including 24 males and 17 females aged 7 - 45 years, were collected from Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, the Fourth Military Medical University. Skin lesions ranged from 5 cm × 12 cm to 12 cm × 18 cm in size, and were located on the scalp in 13 cases, on the face in 18 cases, as well as on the trunk in 10 cases. Before surgery, the composition of tumescent solution was adjusted according to the body weight, operation duration, skin lesion area, etc., and the total dose and peak plasma concentration of lidocaine should be below 35 mg/kg and 4 mg/L respectively. All the patients received tissue-expander placement and second-stage flap transfer under tumescent anesthesia. Results During surgery, satisfactory effect of tumescent anesthesia was achieved in all the 41 patients, the pain score assessed by a numerical rating scale (NRS) was 1.82 ± 0.54. In addition, the surgical field and dissection levels were clear with little bleeding and no related complications. Follow-up of 3 - 36 months showed that the skin flaps matched the surrounding skin tissues well, with relatively concealed incision lines and soft flat scars. Conclusion In the treatment of congenital giant melanocytic nevi, tumescent anesthesia is effective and safe, which combined with skin and soft tissue expansion can effectively reduce the incidence of postoperative complications, and this strategy is worthy of clinical promotion.

Key words: Anesthesia, Dilatation, Nevus, Tumescent anesthesia, Skin soft tissue expansion, Congenital giant melanocytic nevus