TREATMENT OF LARGE CONGENITAL NEVI - A REVIEW AND REPORT OF 6 CASES

To minimize the significant risk of early malignancy, and to obtain ac ceptable cosmetic results we have treated five infants with large cong enital naevi by full-thickness resection of the thickest part and supe rficial excision of the remaining parts of the naevus. The treatment w as followed by rapid healing with little pigmented skin and minimal sc arring. One patient treated at the age of six years showed a less favo urable cosmetic result. Our experience confirms that the major part of the potentially malignant tissue can be removed and a greatly improve d appearance achieved by early surgery. Additional surgery is usually necessary and should be completed before school age to prevent permane nt psychological and social effects. Large congenital naevi are rare a nd difficult to treat. Their treatment should be centralised to region al hospitals that serve large populations.