Curettage of giant congenital melanocytic nevi in neonates: a decade later.

BACKGROUND: Currently, there is tremendous uncertainty regarding how giant congenital melanocytic nevi (GCMN) should be treated. Our approach to patients with GCMN is based on 2 main considerations: (1) obtain an acceptable cosmetic result to decrease the psychosocial inconvenience to the patient, and (2) attempt to minimize the risk of malignancy. For the past 10 years we have treated GCMN by curettage in the neonatal period. We report our experience and results.

OBSERVATIONS: Sixteen neonates with GCMN were treated by curettage between 1990 and 2000. Biopsy specimens were obtained and the patients received close clinical follow-up. In most patients cosmetic and functional results were good, and, to date, no melanoma has been observed in this series.

CONCLUSIONS: Curettage offers an adequate alternative to surgical excision when performed during the first 2 weeks of life. Patients and parents are pleased with the cosmetic and functional results and thereby suffer less from the psychosocial inconvenience caused by these lesions. Careful long-term follow-up of these children is essential to monitor final cosmetic outcome and reduce the potential for malignancy.