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.
Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Esthetic Surgery, University Hospital, University of Navarra Pamplona, Spain.
R
R
Ruiz-de-Erenchun
J
J
Murillo
A
A
Bazán
M
M
Jurado
E
E
García-Tutor
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*