Abdominoplasty and Thoraco-Epigastric Flaps for Large Anterior Trunk Defects after Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans Wide Resection: Two Illustrative Cases

INTRODUCTION: Excision of large dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in the anterior aspect of the trunk often results in large surgical defects that frequently dictate the need for microsurgical reconstruction. However, this option is not always available. PRESENTATION OF CASE: The authors describe two patients with very large anterior trunk dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: one in the epigastric region and the other in the hypogastric region. In the patient with the hypogastric tumor, a classical abdominoplasty flap associated with umbilical transposition was used to cover the skin defect after muscle and fascial plication, and placement of a polypropylene mesh. In the patient with the epigastric tumor, a synthetic mesh was also placed, and the skin and subcutaneous defect was reconstructed with a reverse abdominoplasty flap and two thoraco-epigastric flaps. In both cases, complete closure was possible without immediate or late complications. DISCUSSION: The local options described in this paper present several potential advantages compared to microsurgical reconstruction, namely they are easier and faster to perform and teach; they provide a good skin color and texture match; they are not associated with distant donor site morbidity; follow-up is usually less cumbersome; the post-operative hospital stay tends to be shorter; they are less costly; they are less prone to complete failure. CONCLUSION: The authors believe that these two patients clearly show that local flaps, although frequently neglected, continue to be valid options for reconstructing large anterior trunk defects, even in the current era of microsurgery enthusiasm.

Odontoameloblastoma: a Propósito de um Caso Clínico

O odontoameloblastoma é um tumor odontogénico misto muito raro. Reportam-se 29 casos bem documentados na literatura inglesa consultada, dos quais apenas 5 têm envolvimento do segmento anterior da mandíbula. Um homem de 51 anos apresentava um tumor da região anterior da mandíbula, com tumefacção dura, difusa e indolor na região parassinfisária direita da mandíbula. Radiograficamente existia extensa lesão radiolucente, bem delimitada, desde o dente 46 ao dente 34, com pequenas estruturas calcificadas no interior. Observava-se expansão óssea com provável perfuração cortical e reabsorções radiculares. Após biópsia realizou-se resseção cirúrgica. O exame anatomopatológico permitiu o diagnóstico de odontoameloblastoma. Não houve recorrência nos 30 meses de seguimento. O odontoameloblastoma é um tumor localmente agressivo com comportamento aparentemente semelhante ao dos ameloblastomas, em termos de crescimento, expansão óssea, rizólise e recorrência, parecendo prudente adotar o mesmo critério terapêutico para ambos.