Artificial dermis (Matriderm®) followed by skin graft as an option in dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans with complete circumferential and peripheral deep margin assessment.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) is a locally invasive neoplasia with a pattern of infiltrative growth that leads to extended resections. To avoid unnecessary resections and spare tissues, its treatment requires an adequate assessment of the margins. We present a case where artificial dermis (Matriderm®) was used followed by skin graft for reconstruction. We present a 50-year-old woman with a DFSP in the occipital region. She was referred to us after a first surgery with positive margins. A wide local excision with a 2-cm margin was performed and periosteal tissue was also removed, which led to exposure of the skull. Matriderm was placed on the bone surface and dressings were changed every other day. Meanwhile, margins were evaluated by the complete circumferential and peripheral deep margin assessment (CCPDMA) and were positive for DFSP in the superior margin. After 4 weeks the area was completely covered by granulation tissue and a new resection followed by reconstruction with a skin graft was performed. With regard to the difficulties in the margin assessment in DFSP, we present artificial dermis (Matriderm) as an option for reconstructive surgery in these patients, especially when a skin graft cannot be performed as a first option.

Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans of the vulva: margins assessment and reconstructive options - a report of two cases.

BACKGROUND: Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans (DFSP) of the vulva is rare and oncologic surgery with free margins may lead to severe functional damage, requiring multidisciplinary approach regarding resection, margin assessment and reconstruction.Case Report: Two cases of DFSP in vulva were treated in a single institution. A 28-year-old patient with an incisional biopsy in the vulvar region revealing DFSP underwent a partial vulvectomy with clitoris preservation. Pathological studies revealed free margins and reconstructive surgery was performed. This patient is disease free in a 40 months follow up. The other, a 57-year-old patient was also referred after an incomplete resection of a DFSP in the vulvar region. A 1-cm margim resection followed by Complete Circumferential and Peripheral Deep Margin Assessment (CCPDMA) was performed. Although the upper lateral margin was positive, it was possible to perform another wide local excision with preservation of the clitoris and primary closure. CONCLUSION: DFSP of the vulva requires an accurate evaluation of margins, resections following oncological principles and reconstruction. Although being a very challenging lesion that usually implies difficult surgical management, if treated in a multidisciplinary environment, with surgical oncologists, experienced dermatopathologists and reconstructive surgeons can achieve good results. Even in difficult cases that presents with large lesions and compromising challenging areas, a complete oncologic resection can be performed minimizing functional damage for the patient.

Dermal Substitutes Use in Reconstructive Surgery for Skin Tumors: A Single-Center Experience.

Reconstructive surgery following skin tumor resection can be challenging. Treatment options after removing the tumor are skin grafting, local pedicled and axial flaps, or microsurgery for complex and extensive wounds correction. Recently, the use of dermal substitutes has been extended to reconstructive surgery in cutaneous oncology. Objectives. To report both a single-center experience using dermal substitutes in reconstructive surgery for skin malignancies and reconstructive surgery's outcomes. Methods and Results. Among thirteen patients, seven (53.8%) were male with mean age of 62.6 years. Regarding diagnosis, there were five cases (38.5%) of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), two (15.4%) of melanoma in situ, two (15.4%) of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans, one (7.7%) of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), one (7.7%) of angiosarcoma, and one (7.7%) of eccrine carcinoma (EC). The most common site of injury was scalp (53.8%) and lower limbs (23.1%). Seven (53.8%) patients used NPWT and six (46.2%) patients underwent Brown's dressing. The most frequent complication of the first stage was wound contamination (38.5%). Average time to second-stage skin grafting was 43.9 days. Three (23%) patients developed tumor recurrence and one died. Conclusions. Use of dermal substitutes in oncology can be an option for reconstruction after extended resections, providing good aesthetical and functional results.

Manejo de defeitos complexos do couro cabeludo após excisão de tumores malignos / Management of complex scalp defects after excision of malignant tumors

Introdução: A reconstrução do couro cabeludo após a ressecção oncológica continua sendo um desafio para o cirurgião, especialmente considerando a incidência crescente de câncer de pele entre pacientes idosos. A matriz dérmica (MD) é um grupo heterogêneo de materiais de cobertura de feridas que auxiliam no fechamento da ferida e substituem algumas das funções da pele, temporária ou permanentemente. Pacientes com maior risco cirúrgico podem se beneficiar do uso de MD, que ajuda a gerar uma nova derme, oferecendo grandes melhorias na cobertura de defeitos complexos e extensos. Métodos: É um trabalho retrospectivo com análise de prontuário e relato de dois casos de pacientes do A.C.Camargo Cancer Center-SP, Brasil. Resultados: Relatamos dois casos de defeitos complexos e extensos de couro cabeludo em um centro único usando MD associada a enxerto cutâneo e terapia de pressão negativa (TPN) na cirurgia reconstrutiva após ressecção de neoplasia maligna da pele com resultados funcionais e estético satisfatório. Conclusões: As lesões extensas do couro cabeludo são um desafio na prática clínica e um tratamento multidisciplinar é fundamental. Os resultados obtidos indicam que a MD associada com a enxertia de pele parcial e com a TPN tem enorme potencial para aumentar as opções terapêuticas disponíveis para o cirurgião e possivelmente beneficiando os pacientes, especialmente aqueles que não têm condições clínicas para uma cirurgia extensa de cobertura com retalho microcirúrgico.

Introduction: Scalp reconstruction after cancer resection remains a challenge for surgeons, especially considering the increasing incidence of skin cancer among elderly patients. Dermal matrix (DM) is a heterogeneous group of wound covering materials that aid in wound closure and replace some of the skins functions, either temporarily or permanently. Patients at higher surgical risk can benefit from the use of DM, which help to generate a new dermis, offering great improvements in coverage of complex and extensive defects Methods: It is a retrospective study with analysis of medical records and report of two cases of patients at the A.C.Camargo Cancer Center-SP, Brazil. Results: We report two cases of complex and extensive scalp defects at a single center using DM associated with skin grafting and negative pressure therapy (NPT) in reconstructive surgery after resection of malignant skin neoplasm with satisfactory functional and esthetic results. Conclusions: Extensive lesions of the scalp are a challenge in clinical practice and a multidisciplinary treatment is essential. The results obtained indicate that DM associated with partial skin grafting and NPT have enormous potential to increase the therapeutic options available to the surgeon and possibly benefit patients, especially those who do not have the clinical conditions for extensive coverage surgery with microsurgical flap.

Associação do retalho miocutâneo de Tripier a enxerto de cartilagem da escafa: um recurso cirúrgico para reconstrução de defeitos de espessura total da pálpebra inferior / Association of the Tripier myocutaneous flap to scapha cartilage graft: a surgical resource for reconstruction of full thickness defects of lower eyelids

A reconstrução da pálpebra inferior secundária à ressecção de câncer de pele é um desafio cirúrgico e sua abordagem deve ser planejada por lamelas e extensão da ressecção. Apresentamos o caso de paciente do sexo masculino, 69 anos, que após a ressecção oncológica apresentou defeito de espessura total maior de 60% na pálpebra inferior. Para reconstrução foi indicada a associação do retalho miocutâneo unipediculado de Tripier com enxerto de cartilagem da escafa obtendo resultados favoráveis, mostrando que a associação destas técnicas é uma boa prática na hora de planejar a reconstrução da pálpebra inferior.

The reconstruction of the secondary lower eyelid to a resection of skin cancer is a challenging surgical procedure that must be carefully planned with regards to issues related to lamella and extension of the resection. We present the case of a 69-year-old male patient who, after oncologic resection, presented a total thickness defect greater than 60% in the lower eyelid. For reconstruction, it was indicated that the use of Tripier's unipedic myocutaneous flap with scapha cartilage graft produced favorable results, which confirms that it is worthwhile using these techniques when planning lower eyelid reconstruction.

Lower eyelid and malar/palpebral groove reconstructions with a V-Y skin flap after skin tumor removal / Reconstrução de pálpebra inferior e junção malar/palpebral com retalho cutâneo em V-Y após ressecção de tumores de pele

Introduction: The most commonly used flaps for the reconstruction of the lower eyelid and malar/palpebral groove are cervicofacial flaps owing to their horizontal traction, which results in a lower risk of ectropion and canthal dystopias. V-Y skin flap is not often used for the fear of the vertical traction being transferred to the lower eyelid, which would lead to the occurrence of ectropion and dystopias. Our aim is to demonstrate that, if well executed, this flap may be a good option for reconstructions of this region. Methods: Sixty-eight eyelid reconstructions have been performed at the ACCamargo Cancer Center between December 2012 and May 2015. Of these, 29 patients underwent reconstruction of the lower eyelid or malar/palpebral groove using a V-Y skin flap after skin tumor removal. Results: Among the palpebral reconstructions, the most commonly used was the V-Y flap (29 cases, 42.6%). Two cases (6.9%) developed ectropion. No case of seroma, hematoma, infection, or partial loss of the flap has been observed. Conclusion: The V-Y flap is a good option for eyelid reconstruction when well indicated, designed, and executed, since it presents low complication rates and the possibility to be performed under local anesthesia. Therefore, this flap is a good choice for patients without the clinical conditions necessary to undergo surgery under general anesthesia.

Introdução: Os retalhos mais comumente utilizados para reconstruções de pálpebra inferior e junção malar/palpebral são os cervicofaciais, pois a sua tração horizontal levaria a menor risco de ectrópio e distopias cantais. O retalho cutâneo em V-Y frequentemente não é utilizado pelo receio de que a tração vertical seja transferida à pálpebra inferior, gerando ectrópio e distopias. Nosso objetivo é demonstrar que, se bem executado, este retalho pode ser uma boa opção para reconstruções nesta região. Métodos: Foram realizadas 68 reconstruções palpebrais no ACCamargo Cancer Center, entre dezembro de 2012 e maio de 2015. Dentre estes pacientes, 29 foram submetidos à reconstrução de pálpebra inferior ou junção malar/palpebral, após ressecção de tumores cutâneos, com retalhos cutâneos em V-Y. Resultados: Dentre as reconstruções palpebrais, o retalho V-Y foi o mais utilizado (29 casos, 42,6%). Dois casos (6,9%) evoluíram com ectrópio. Não houve nenhum caso de seroma, hematoma, infecção ou perda parcial do retalho. Conclusão: O retalho V-Y é uma boa opção para reconstruções palpebrais quando bem indicado, desenhado e executado, pois apresenta baixos índices de complicações e também por poder ser realizado sob anestesia local, sendo uma boa escolha para pacientes sem condições clínicas de serem submetidos à anestesia geral.