PERICHONDRIAL CUTANEOUS GRAFTS FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF SKIN-CANCER EXCISION DEFECTS

BACKGROUND. Perichondrial cutaneous grafts (PCCGs) are composite graft s comprised of skin and subjacent perichondrium. Animal models and pre liminary clinical reports have shown that PCCGs are thicker survive be tter and contract less than full-thickness skin grafts, and are simple r to perform than alternative reconstructive methods such as two-stage flaps. OBJECTIVE. The applicability of PCCGs to surgical defects foll owing Mohs surgery was investigated. METHODS. PCCGs were used to recon struct patients with surgical defects following Mohs excision of skin cancers from facial sites near free anatomic margins and in defects wi th exposed cartilage. RESULTS. A series of cases is described, all wit h good to excellent cosmesis and function. CONCLUSION. PCCGs are usefu l in reconstruction of defects following Mohs excision of skin cancers .