Skin graft using MatriDerm® for plantar defects after excision of skin cancer

Skin cancer should be excised with sufficient margin to reduce recurrence rate. However, the surgeon always has to worry about the reconstruction method of skin defects after excision. In particular, defects in the plantar surface of the foot are difficult to reconstruct due to their position and structure, and various methods are applied by each surgeon. Surgeons think which methods are easier to apply to patients and less morbidity. To alleviate these concerns, we applied artificial dermal substitute to skin defects after skin cancer. Bowen's disease (squamous cell carcinoma in situ) and melanoma in situ on the plantar surface of the foot were subjected to wide excision with sufficient margin. After excision, a skin defect with exposed plantar fascia was applied with a matrix defect and vacuum. A granulation tissue (dermal matrix) was formed and a split-thickness skin graft was performed. Both patients had good functional results and no problems with skin donor sites. Thus, we report a skin graft method that is relatively easy to apply after skin cancer excision on the plantar surface of the foot.