Reconstruction of defects with the posterior femoral fasciocutaneous flap after resection of malignant tumours of the femoral greater trochanter, sacrococcygeal region and knee

Vastus lateralis flap for trochanteric sarcoma reconstruction following prior main pedicle dissection: A case report

The reconstruction of trochanteric defects presents a challenge to the reconstructive surgeon. There have been a number of locoregional reconstructive options described in the literature. These include flaps based on the lateral circumflex femoral artery and its branches, such as the tensor fascia lata, vastus lateralis (VL), anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps. The present case further complicated this challenge as the patient had multiple recurrences of a sarcoma overlying the trochanteric region, with previous surgical resections, reconstruction and radiotherapy. The present case study describes an approach to harvesting the VL flap in a patient with previously harvested ALT.

Profunda femoris artery perforator flap for lateral knee joint reconstruction: A report of two cases

The profunda femoris artery perforator flap (PAP) based on a proximal skin perforator is often used for breast reconstruction. We report two cases of lateral knee joint reconstruction using a PAP flap based on a distal skin perforator.

Case 1 is a 16-year-old male adolescent who underwent inappropriate resection of a synovial sarcoma on the lateral aspect of the right knee joint, which necessitated additional wide resection that led to a soft tissue defect measuring 11 × 5 cm. We elevated a propeller PAP flap (23 × 7 cm) for defect reconstruction, and the flap survived completely.

Case 2 is an 81-year-old woman who underwent wide resection of an undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma on the lateral aspect of the right knee joint showed a persistent soft tissue defect measuring 9 × 6 cm. We elevated a propeller PAP flap (25 × 7 cm) as described in Case 1, and the flap survived completely.

Skin perforators of the profunda femoris artery are present both in the proximal and distal thigh; therefore, a PAP flap can also be elevated in the distal thigh. However, a few reports have discussed PAP flap elevation in the distal thigh for knee joint reconstruction. The PAP flap with a distal skin perforator can be elevated with a relatively large volume of skin paddle and may be a useful option for lateral knee joint reconstruction.

Island Posterior Thigh Flap Revisited in Covering Extensive Sacral Wounds: Our Experience with Two Patients

Deep sacral wounds are best covered by flaps. Posterior thigh flaps have routinely been used to cover such wounds. The flap can however be modified as an island flap. Two patients with extensive sacral wounds were managed with island posterior thigh flaps. Both patients were admitted secondary to road traffic accident with subsequent soft tissue loss of the sacral area. The sacral defects in both patients were approximately 17 cm by 23 cm in dimensions. Unilateral island posterior thigh flap was raised and used to cover the wounds. Postoperatively both patients did well; the donor site and recipient sites healed without any complications. Island posterior thigh flap is thus an option in covering extensive defects of the sacral area. The flap is reliable and easy to raise and has minimal donor site morbidity. By raising it as an island flap the dog ear defect is avoided and the flap is able to be tunneled under the gluteal muscle. This maneuver enables the flap to be advanced further allowing it to cover more distal and extensive defects.

A composite gluteofemoral flap for reconstruction of large pressure sores over the sacrococcygeal region

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Gigantic pressure sores pose a daunting challenge for plastic surgeons. This paper presents a composite gluteofemoral flap for reconstruction of large pressure sores over the sacrococcygeal region.

METHODS

In this anatomical study, 30 embalmed cadaveric lower limbs were used for dissection to observe the musculocutaneous perforators of the inferior gluteal artery and the longitudinal nutritional vascular chain of the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve. In this clinical study, eight patients underwent surgical harvest of the composite gluteofemoral flap for coverage of grade IV sacrococcygeal pressure sores. The size of the pressure sores ranged between 16 × 9 cm and 22 × 10 cm.

RESULTS

The inferior gluteal artery was present in 26 cases and absent in four cases. It gave off two to four musculocutaneous branches with a diameter larger than 0.5 mm to the gluteus maximus. A direct cutaneous branch was given off at the inferior margin of the gluteus maximus, serving as a nutritional artery for the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve. The size of the flap harvested ranged between 22 × 9 cm and 32 × 10 cm. Flaps in seven patients survived uneventfully and developed epidermal necrosis at the distal margin in one case. An average 2-year follow-up revealed no recurrence of pressure sores.

CONCLUSION

The composite gluteofemoral flap, being robust in blood supply, simple in surgical procedure, and large in donor territory, is an important addition to the armamentarium.