title: Muscle coverage of pressure points--the role of myocutaneous flaps.
abstract: Although myocutaneous flaps have evolved into a primary method for managing pressure sores, their value in reducing the recurrence rate by padding the pressure point is open to question. The use of muscle to cover a pressure point violates the normal soft-tissue coverage of a bony prominence and introduces a tissue that is exquisitely sensitive to ischemia. Clinical follow-up of patients who have had myocutaneous flaps for closure of pressure sores demonstrates almost total muscle atrophy. Although skin coverage is stable, the muscle bulk of a myocutaneous flap is not retained beyond one to two years. The long-term value of myocutaneous flaps in reducing the recurrence rate of pressure sores requires careful follow-up in major series of cases.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001344:Autopsy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D009132:Muscles / Q000637:transplantation*; D009133:Muscular Atrophy; D010264:Paraplegia / Q000150:complications; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016038:Skin Transplantation