Split anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap for vulva reconstruction: A case report

Vulvovaginal Reconstruction With a Modified Pedicled Anterolateral Thigh Flap

This case report presents a novel approach for vulvovaginal reconstruction using a modified pedicled anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap. The patient was a 62-year-old woman with a history of vulvar squamous cell carcinoma and radiation therapy, after which the cancer recurred. Total vulvectomy was performed with preservation of the urethra and vaginal introitus. The resulting defect was reconstructed using a boomerang-shaped ALT flap measuring 16 × 7 cm. The flap was harvested via intramuscular dissection and transposed into the vulvar defect through a subcutaneous tunnel. The excess skin was de-epithelialized and used to fill the defect around the urethra. Six months postoperatively, the patient had recovered successfully with satisfactory cosmetic and functional results. The advantages of the ALT flap include its versatility, long vascular pedicle, and the ability to harvest it from a nonirradiated area. The modified technique used a boomerang-shaped design and careful placement of the perforators. This technique eliminates the disadvantages associated with fenestrated and split ALT flaps, provides well-vascularized tissue, restores function, minimizes donor-site morbidity, and achieves a natural-looking aesthetic result. The modified pedicled ALT flap is a safe and effective method for vulvovaginal reconstruction, particularly in patients with a history of radiation therapy or large, complex vulvar defects.

Transplantation of Ultra-Long Cross-Donor Conjoined Perforator Flaps with Multiple Blood Supply Sources for Wound Repair

OBJECTIVE

There are reports about the surgical method and clinical efficacy of using ultra-long cross-donor perforator skin flap transplantation with multiple blood supply sources to repair wounds.

METHOD

Between January 2013 and March 2019, 29 wounds were repaired using ultra-long skin flaps from the donor site of the chest, abdomen and anterolateral thigh. All patients were followed up on a regular basis with a view to the following: appearance of skin flap, function of recipient area and healing of donor area.

RESULT

After the operation, all 28 skin flaps were fine. On the fifth day after the operation, one case of a 47-cm anterolateral thigh flap had dark skin color in the distal-most area measuring about 5 cm×4 cm, and the incision showed slow bleeding. In 11 cases, linear scars with soft edges and no obvious contractures were left in the donor area of the chest and abdomen. Eighteen cases with lateral femoral donor sites healed successfully, with linear scars forming without contracture. Three cases with lateral femoral donor sites had wide linear scars that were slightly above skin level and exhibited no contracture.

CONCLUSION

Transplantation of ultra-long conjoined cross-donor perforator flaps with multiple blood supply is beneficial to wound repair and worthy of clinical promotion.

A Review of Reconstruction for Vulvar Cancer Surgery

Importance

Vulvar reconstruction may be required after vulvectomy or any vulvar surgery. Providers should be familiar with techniques for reconstruction to improve clinical outcomes.

Objective

This article reviews the different techniques for reconstruction after vulvectomy and describes the decision-making process for selection of appropriate techniques, postoperative care, and expected outcomes.

Evidence Acquisition

A literature search was conducted, focusing on the plastic surgery and gynecologic oncology literature, using the following search terms: "vulvar reconstruction," "perineal reconstruction," "vulvectomy," and "vulvar cancer." The search was limited to English publications.

Results

Reconstruction after vulvectomy can be performed using a variety of techniques ranging from simple or complex closure to adjacent tissue rearrangement to skin grafting, locoregional, and free flaps. The appropriate technique is best chosen based on the characteristics of the patient and postablative defect, as well as the reconstructive goals. Postoperative complications are usually minor.

Conclusions

Vulvar reconstruction techniques vary widely and offer patients improved outcomes.

Relevance

Knowledge of vulvar reconstruction techniques is necessary for gynecologists performing vulvar surgery to ensure optimal patient outcomes.

An Algorithmic Anatomical Subunit Approach to Pelvic Wound Reconstruction

BACKGROUND

Prior radiation therapy, pelvic dead space, and a dependent location contribute to perineal dehiscence rates as high as 66 percent after primary closure of pelvic wounds. Various regional flaps have been described to reconstruct pelvic defects, but an algorithmic pairing of individual flaps to specific anatomical regions has not been described.

METHODS

A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database was performed to identify consecutive pelvic reconstructions from 2010 to 2013 with at least 6 months' follow-up. Pelvic defects and resulting flaps were described by anatomical subunits involved: anterolateral thigh flap for mons, gracilis flap for labia majora and introitus, vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap for vagina and/or perineal raphe, and gluteus musculocutaneous flap for isolated perianal defects.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven women and three men underwent consecutive pelvic reconstruction with a mean age of 60 years (range, 26 to 83 years) and a mean body mass index of 28 kg/m(2) (range, 17 to 40 kg/m(2)). Twenty-one patients (70 percent) had prior radiation therapy. In total, 45 flaps were performed according to the subunit principle. Three patients had a minor dehiscence (<5 cm), one patient had a major dehiscence, and one required reoperation for abscess. There were two partial flap losses necessitating débridement and readvancement of the flap. Twenty-five percent of female patients were sexually active after vaginal reconstruction.

CONCLUSIONS

The pelvic subunit principle provides an effective algorithm for choosing the ideal pedicled flap for each region involved in acquired pelvic defects. This algorithm is based on individual attributes that make each flap most appropriate for each subunit. Complications were minimal and patient satisfaction with appearance and function was excellent.

Outcome of vulvar reconstruction in patients with advanced and recurrent vulvar malignancies

Background

The use of flaps in vulvar cancer-related reconstruction has been increasing, but few studies have evaluated the outcome and quality of life of patients after this surgery. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of vulvar reconstruction using musculocutaneous/skin flaps in patients with advanced and recurrent vulvar malignancies.

Methods

Patients with vulvar malignancies who underwent vulvar reconstruction using different types of flaps were retrospectively reviewed. Patient outcomes were evaluated with a focus on quality of life and prognosis.

Results

Thirty-six patients were enrolled, 58.33 % of them used anterolateral thigh flap (ALT), 16.67 % of them used pudendal thigh flap (PTF), 11.11 % of them used deep omferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) and gracilis myocutaneous flap were used in 2.78 % of the patients, the other 11.11 % patients used two types of flaps. Eleven patients (30.56 %) developed complications, including 5 patients (13.89 %) with partial necrosis, 5 (13.89 %) with minimal wound dehiscence and 1 (2.78 %) with flap cellulitis. All patients who developed partial necrosis (13.89 %) underwent reoperation. The mean verbal rating scale score was 1.44 before reconstruction and 0.17 after surgery (P < 0.0001). The mean performance status was 1.67 before surgery and improved to 0.31 after surgery (P < 0.0001). The median overall follow-up time after vulvar reconstruction was 9 months. Twenty-one patients (58.3 %) developed recurrence at a median interval of 5 months after vulvar reconstruction. After a median follow-up time of 14 months, 41.7 % of the patients were living and disease-free. The 5-year survival of the 36 patients was 53.8 %.

Conclusion

Soft tissue reconstruction in patients undergoing resection of advanced/recurrent vulvar malignances is associated with a low rate of postoperative complications, decreased pain, and improved functional status. Although the recurrence rate in this patient population is high, a reasonable proportion of patients who undergo resection for advanced/recurrent vulvar cancer and reconstructive surgery appear to benefit.