Vaginal reconstruction using a modified rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap in pelvic cancer surgery.
The authors present a modification of the design for the classic cutaneous pattern of the rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap for vaginal reconstruction after pelvic cancer surgery. The authors designed a paramedial and supraumbilical dermo-cutaneous flap with paraumbilical randomized vascularization, which was sutured to the classic cutaneous TRAM flap pattern and rotated around a longitudinal axis to form the neo-introitus. The use of this new cutaneous design allows for a perfect cylindrical shape all along the length of the new vagina, thus achieving a more anatomic reconstruction than those currently obtained with the classic cutaneous patterns, and with fewer tendencies to distal retraction, necrosis, and partial stenosis.
Ruiz-de-Erenchun
R
R
Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Esthetic Surgery, University Hospital, University of Navarra Pamplona, Spain.
Murillo
J
J
Bazán
A
A
Jurado
M
M
García-Tutor
E
E
D034861:Abdominal Wall; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014621:Vagina / Q000601:surgery*