Abstract
Background: Despite advances in reconstruction techniques, sacral defects continue to challenge surgeons. The perforator flap preserves the entire contralateral side as a future flap donor site and the gluteal muscle itself on the ipsilateral side to minimize donor-site morbidity. Materials and Methods: Between April 2003 and March 2013, data obtained from 60 patients with sacral defects reconstructed with perforator flaps were retrospectively analyzed. Results: We analyzed the sacral defects reconstructed with three different perforator flaps into the following groups: Group 1, 30 patients with superior gluteal artery perforator flaps, (average flap size was 83.8 cm2); Group 2, 19 patients with parasacral perforator flaps (average flap size was 94.2 cm2); and Group 3, 11 patients with inferior gluteal artery perforator flaps (average flap size was 85.8 cm2). The overall flap survival rate was 93.3% (56/60). Conclusion: Perforator flaps are a reliable option for soft-tissue defect reconstruction as they provide a sufficient amount of tissue to cover large sacral defects. We recommend perforator flaps as a viable alternative in the management of sacral defects that cannot be reconstructed with primary closure or local fasciocutaneous flaps.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 142-147 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Formosan Journal of Surgery |
Volume | 51 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Jul 1 2018 |
Keywords
- Perforator flap
- pressure ulcer
- reconstruction
- sacral defect
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surgery