DIGITAL ARTERY PERFORATOR FLAP FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF FINGERTIP AFTER RESECTION OF MELANOMA IN SITU

Abstract

A case of 40-year-old female with melanoma in situ on her left index finger is presented. When treating melanoma in situ, it is recommended to have 3 mm margin and to include subcutaneous fat layer for resection of the tumor. To reconstruct the fingertip with the exposed distal phalanx, we used digital artery perforator flap. Since the resection of melanoma in situ in the appropriate manner would result in low risk of recurrence of the tumor, unlike melanoma of more deeply infiltrating types, it is important to use flaps which are easy to raise, functionally superior, and cosmetically excellent, The drawbacks of using digital artery perforator flap is that the operator is not able to tell if the flap includes the perforator until the flap is raised, since there is a risk of damaging the perforator when trying to expose it to visually confirm that it is included in the flap.