Contouring buttock reconstruction after sacrococcygeal teratoma resection.
OBJECTIVE
Massive sacrococcygeal teratomas are typically resected and closed in a "chevron" fashion. The resultant scar may leave protuberant "dog ears" and extend across and below the infragluteal creases down onto the posterior thighs, causing undesirable buttock deformity. Given the redundant skin often available, the authors sought to develop a closure technique to minimize deformity and unpleasant scars.


METHODS
At the time of resection of 2 sacrococcygeal teratomas, attention was directed to minimizing redundant skin, restoring normal buttock contour, and avoiding scars crossing the infragluteal crease. After properly securing the anal location, serial polygonal skin excisions were performed, working the excess tissue centrally rather than peripherally, leaving 2 right-angled scars on each buttock.


RESULTS
Each infant underwent successful reconstruction with a normal buttock contour without redundancy. All scars on the buttocks can be easily covered by bathing attire.


CONCLUSIONS
The excess skin expanded by large sacrococcygeal teratomas affords an opportunity to apply straightforward tissue rearrangement principles to reconstruct the buttocks with a normal contour and hidden scars.
Fishman
Steven J
SJ
Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
Jennings
Russell W
RW
Johnson
Sidney M
SM
Kim
Heung B
HB
D002081:Buttocks / Q000601:surgery*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012445:Sacrococcygeal Region / Q000601:surgery*; D013125:Spinal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D013724:Teratoma / Q000601:surgery*