Giant desmoid tumour of abdominal wall: resection and reconstruction by posterior component separation

Summary

Management of large abdominal wall desmoid tumours is complicated due to the unpredictable behaviour of desmoids and the need for laborious reconstruction of the abdominal wall after wide local excision. A multidisciplinary team approach, including surgeons, oncologists and plastic surgeons, is necessary for proper management. This case highlights the diagnostic and surgical challenges related to the reconstruction of abdominal wall defect, after radical excision of a 30×30×25 cm desmoid tumour, originating from left rectus muscle. The defect was closed successfully by a perspicuous technique of posterior component separation. The awareness of this straightforward technique will allow the surgeons to do these radical procedures with confidence and without any consternation of complex reconstructive procedures.