title: Contouring buttock reconstruction after sacrococcygeal teratoma resection.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Children's Hospital, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Steven J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Fishman
authors.forename: Russell W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Jennings
authors.forename: Sidney M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: Heung B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: 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*