Reconstruction after wide excision of primary cutaneous melanomas: part I-the head and neck.

The mainstay of management of primary cutaneous melanoma is wide surgical excision, but occassionally a balance is needed between adequately resecting a potentially curable lesion and minimising the functional deficit or cosmetic deformity in the affected area, particularly in the head and neck region. The reconstructive surgeon must have wide knowledge of reconstructive techniques, including the advantages and limitations, and a comprehensive understanding of the local and regional anatomy if the goals of surgery are to be achieved. In part I of this series, we review current literature and available evidence on reconstruction after wide excision of primary cutaneous melanoma in the head and neck region.