title: Tangentially split gluteus maximus myocutaneous island flap based on perforator arteries for the reconstruction of pressure sores.
abstract: From 1995 to 1997, the authors used tangentially split gluteus maximus myocutaneous island flaps based on the musculocutaneous perforator arteries for the reconstruction of pressure sores located in the trochanteric, sacral, and ischial regions of 30 ambulatory and paraplegic patients. The postoperative follow-up period was 18 months. Postoperative electromyograms were performed on the ambulatory patients to compare the function of the gluteus maximus muscles on each side. There were one major and two minor postoperative complications. There was no total flap loss. The major advantage of this technique is the preservation of most of the gluteus maximus for stair climbing and single-limb support in the ambulatory patient. The tangentially split gluteus maximus myocutaneous island flap is recommended as the procedure of choice for closure of sacral, ischial, and trochanteric ulcers in both the ambulatory and nonambulatory patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ankara Numune Hospital, Turkey. ncbaran@ada.net.tr
authors.forename: C N
authors.initials: CN
authors.lastname: Baran
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Celebioğlu
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Civelek
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Sensöz
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*