An improved technique of excision and skin grafting for primary malignant melanomas.

A technique is described which decreases the cosmetic defomity associated with excision of primary melanomas and split thickness skin grafting. The incised skin edges are beveled peripherally and sutured to underlying muscle. A complete take of the graft is routine. There is a smooth transition from the cut skin edges to the skin grafted area that contrasts sharply with the cosmetically inferior cookie cutter defect resulting from conventional techniques.