title: Rectus abdominis flap closure of ischiosacral pressure sore.
abstract: An inferiorly based rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap was used to close a large ischiosacral pressure sore refractory to the usual methods of closure in a paraplegic patient. The functions of the rectus abdominis muscle to initiate vertebral flexion from a supine position and aid in respiration, urination, defecation, and vomiting may play a proportionately greater role in the paraplegic patient. Although our patient did not experience any noticeable clinical deficits, this donor site is theoretically less functionally expendable in the paraplegic patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bunkis
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Fudem
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles; D000368:Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000150:complications; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000628:therapy*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods*