[Surgical treatment of nevi in children in a dermatological surgery center : Histopathology and complications].

BACKGROUND: The indication for surgical management and histological diagnosis of melanocytic nevi in children is a major challenge in clinical routine. In consultations with children and parents, the exclusion of malignant findings, on the one hand, and the risk of complications, on the other hand, are important.

PATIENTS AND METHODOLOGY: Included were 946 children under the age of 10 years who underwent surgery with a suspected diagnosis of melanocytic nevus at the University Department of Dermatology, Tübingen, Germany, between 2008 and 2018. Dermatohistopathologic findings and postoperative complications were recorded.

RESULTS: A clinical diagnosis of melanocytic nevus was histologically confirmed in 93.2% (882/946) of cases, whereby there were 41 Spitz nevi and 18 pigmented spindle cell tumors. Melanoma was diagnosed in 2 of the children (0.2%). In another 6.6%, non-melanocytic findings (e.g., nevus sebaceous, epidermal nevi) were diagnosed. The complication rate was low at 3%. The most common complication was the occurrence of postoperative wound infection in 1.7%.

CONCLUSION: It is possible to take a biopsy or surgically remove congenital nevi of different sizes even in infants. Serial excision of congenital nevi is an important tool for this purpose. In the investigated cohort, the complication rate was low. Histological confirmation is essential in case of clinically suspicious or atypical findings.