A new modality for treating congenital melanocytic nevus: "cogwheel pattern" serial excision method.

Congenital melanocytic nevus consists of congregations of nevomelanocytes. It is found in approximately 1% of new born infants. Congenital melanocytic nevus needs to be excised before it transforms into a malignant lesion. Many strategies have been attempted for the removal and reconstruction of the nevus. Serial excision enables wound closure to be accomplished with a shorter scar than if the original lesion was elliptically excised in a single stage and reorientation of the scar closer to the relaxed skin lines. The routine utilization of an elliptical serial excision as a standard method of closure often leads to the formation of elongated scars and waste of skin. The "Cogwheel pattern" serial excision is a new technique for reducing the size of the nevus efficiently. Reducing the final scar length, distributing the tension over many directions, and having the chance of decrease in operation numbers are ultimately achieved with the use of the "Cogwheel pattern" serial excision.