Ultrasound scan in planning surgery for cutaneous melanoma of the extremities

We performed a retrospective analysis of ultrasound scans in 42 patients with cutaneous melanoma of the extremities in planning the closure of skin defects with skin fascial island flaps supplied by perforating vessels. First, the primary melanoma focus was scanned by ultrasound to reveal characteristics of the skin, tumor and adjacent tissues. Then we detected perforating vessels to mark them and to select the sites for the island flaps. Ultrasound examination was performed using the IU 22 PHILIPS, GE Logiq E9 and Supersonic imagine AIXPLORER MultiWave Systems with linear multi-frequency sensors (517 MHz) in the B-mode, color and power Doppler to visualize the blood flow. We clarified the criteria of the necessary and sufficient parameters according to Doppler ultrasound visualization for surgical treatment of cutaneous melanoma of the extremities by the suggested method in preoperative period, as well as monitoring of the flap state after surgery. The transfer of flaps on perforating vessels did not cause blood flow disorders in them: the mean arterial blood flow velocity was 13.1 ± 4.7 cm/sec before surgery and 12.8 ± 5.4 cm/sec after it. The maximal venous flow velocity was on average 7.0 ± 1.3 cm/sec before surgery and 6.2 ± 0.8 cm/sec after it. Thus, triplex ultrasound significantly facilitates the selection and individual design of the flap with the inclusion of feeding vessels of sufficient potential, helps in planning the operation, reduces the risk of failure and improves the results of treatment. This method contributes to the radicalization of surgical intervention with a simultaneous decrease in the risk of postoperative complications and acceleration of medical and social rehabilitation of patients.