[Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans: Surgical margins using Slow-Mohs micrographic surgery. A clinical retrospective study about 20 cases].

OBJECTIVES

The main objective of this study is to determine the necessary surgical margins to obtain a complete R0 resection for head and neck dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP) using Slow-Mohs micrographic surgery. The secondary objective is to study the recurrence rate of these tumors.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Slow-Mohs micrographic surgery was used for patients included between 2005 and 2015 at Bordeaux universitary hospital. For each patient the age, the sex and death occurrence, the initial surgical margins, the surgical margins for complete R0 resection, the occurrence of local or general recurrence during follow-up were reported. Surgery was realized under local anesthesia. The closure of the tumor site was realized secondarily using a skin graft or local flap.

RESULTS

Twenty patients were included in the study. Initial surgical margins were 10mm (9 patients) or 15mm (11 patients). Complete resection was obtained from the first surgery for fifteen patients (75%). The average surgical margin for a complete R0 resection was 15,25±5,7mm (10-25). None of the patients presented recurrences during the entire follow-up (38 months) CONCLUSION: A complete R0 resection of head and neck DFSP is obtained from the first surgery in 75% of the cases, with minimum surgical margins (12,75±2,55mm) using the Slow-Mohs micrographic surgery. This allows a reduction of surgical margins and local recurrences. This technique provides a preservation of soft-tissues, which plays a key role for head and neck surgery.