Evaluation on Long - term Follow -up Results of Two Operative Methods to Treat Melanoma on Heel and sole

Abstract

Objective To study the suitable operative method to treat melanoma on heel and sole.Methods Since 1994,12 patients with melanoma on heel and sole were treated in our department. The wounds were repaired by island skin flaps in 7 patients, full thickness skin grafting was employed to repair the others.Their clinical materials and follow up results were retrospectively analyzed.Results Six patients repaired with island skin flaps were followed up. All of them survived. The appearance and function of heel and sole recovered well post operation and the recurrence didn't appear in operative sites. Four patients repaired with thickness skin grafts were followed up. Among them, one patient died from systemic metastasis, local recurrence appeared in one patient, the other patients survived.Conclusion It might be a key to reach satisfactory curative effect to thoroughly excise melanoma on heel and sole in a certain range and depth. The excising depth might play a more important role in operation.