title: Recurrent abdominal wall dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in a child: a challenging reconstruction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans is an uncommon low-grade soft tissue sarcoma with a high potential for recurrence as it has irregular finger like extensions.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a case of a large, recurrent dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in a child involving the anterior abdominal wall, which posed a challenge for reconstruction. Peritoneum sparing full thickness resection of the anterior abdominal wall, meshplasty and a free anterolateral thigh flap was performed for reconstruction of the defect.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Large composite defect, involving more than half of the anterior abdominal wall, necessitate a free flap reconstruction. Although these reconstructions are technically challenging in children, they are the only option available.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Complete surgical excision is essential for DFSP of the abdominal wall, which may result in large challenging defects. Free flaps remain the only option in this scenario and hence it is essential to have expertise for microvascular flap reconstruction.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgical Oncology, Tata Memorial Centre, Ernest Borges Road, Parel, Bombay, 400012 India.
authors.forename: Karthik C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Vallam
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgical Oncology, Tata Memorial Centre, Ernest Borges Road, Parel, Bombay, 400012 India.
authors.forename: Monica
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bhagat
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Tata Memorial Centre, Bombay, India.
authors.forename: Vinay
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Shankhdhar
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Surgical Oncology, Department of Surgical Oncology, Tata Memorial Centre, Ernest Borges Road, Parel, Bombay, 400012 India.
authors.forename: Sajid S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Qureshi
keywords: Abdominal wall; Anterolateral thigh flap; Children; Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans; Reconstruction; Surgery