Malignant melanoma and lymph nodes.

A total of 226 cases of malignant melanoma of the skin (MM), clinical stage I disease, located on the leg (87), arm (36), or trunk (103), were treated with elective regional node dissection (ERND). The axillary lymph nodes were dissected by a T-shaped skin incision line, whereas the inguinal nodes were removed with the help of a spindle-shaped skin excision. Both techniques, without mortality, offered the precondition for extirpation of the lymph nodes en bloc and guaranteed well-healing wounds.