Y Taniguchi, T Tamaki
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan

M Yoshida
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japan

Y Uematsu
Department of Neurological Surgery, Wakayama Medical University, Wakayama, Japana

A 53-year-old male underwent more than 10 surgical treatments over 14 years, including a simple excision and local flap transfer, after recurrences of dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans of the head. Clinical results indicated that simple excision of
dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans should not be performed as initial treatment. Instead, free flap transplantation, which permits a wide excision and complete reconstruction, should be the first treatment option.

Key words: dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans; latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap; skull defect