Primary umbilical malignant melanoma requiring full-thickness abdominal wall resection and reconstruction with autologous fascia lata: a case report

TL;DR

A rare case of umbilical melanoma was treated with full abdominal wall removal and reconstruction using the patient's own fascia lata, with no recurrence or hernia after one year.

Contribution

This case report presents a successful use of autologous fascia lata for abdominal wall reconstruction after extensive umbilical melanoma resection.

Findings

The patient had no local recurrence or hernia at 6-month follow-up.

At one year post-surgery, no herniation or recurrence was observed.

Autologous fascia lata graft provided effective reconstruction after oncologic resection.

Abstract

Primary malignant melanoma of the umbilicus is extremely rare; evidence guiding optimal resection and reconstruction is limited. A 47-year-old man with primary umbilical melanoma underwent full-thickness abdominal wall resection including the peritoneum. The abdominal wall defect was reconstructed using an autologous fascia lata graft. Histopathology confirmed malignant melanoma with a tumor thickness of 18 mm (pT4bN1aM0, Stage IIIC). At 6-month follow-up, no local recurrence or incisional hernia was observed, and at one year after surgery, no evidence of herniation or recurrence was noted. Autologous fascia lata offers a practical option for abdominal wall reconstruction after extensive oncologic resection of the umbilical region, achieving early freedom from recurrence and hernia in this case.

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