Recurrence of Dysplastic Nevi Is Strongly Associated with Extension of the Lesions to the Lateral Margins and into the Deep Margins through the Hair Follicles in the Original Shave Removal Specimens

Table 1

Excision specimens with recurrence compared with the original shave removal specimens.

	Case group (recurred); 110 cases	Control group (no recurrence or persistence); 110 cases
Positive shave margins	108 (98.2%)	28 (25%)
Lateral margins	69	23
Hair follicles	9	2
Lateral margins & hair follicles	25	3
Epidermal rete ridges transected superficially	5	0
Deep margins (pigmented or atypical cells)	0	0
Negative (clear) margins	2 (1.8%)	82 (75%)
Deep margins (maturing cells, not considered true positive)	17	11