title: Gluteal perforator flaps for coverage of pressure sores at various locations.
abstract: Flap coverage is essential for successful treatment of pressure sores, and musculocutaneous flaps have been preferred universally. Development of perforator flaps supplied by musculocutaneous perforators has allowed reconstructive surgeons to harvest flaps without including muscles. Perforator flaps have enhanced the possibility of donor sites because a flap can be supplied by any musculocutaneous perforator, and donor-site morbidity is also reduced. Between November of 1998 and June of 2002, the authors used 35 gluteal perforator flaps in 32 consecutive patients for coverage of pressure sores located at sacral (n = 22), ischial (n = 7), and trochanteric (n = 6) regions. The mean age of the patients was 53.1 years (range, 5 to 87 years), and there were 16 male and 16 female patients. All flaps in this series were supplied by musculocutaneous arteries arising from gluteal muscles. Patients were followed up for a mean period of 13.6 months. Wound dehiscence was observed in two patients and treated by secondary closure. Three patients died during the follow-up period. All flaps survived except one that had undergone total necrosis, and only one recurrence was noted during the follow-up period. Gluteal perforator flaps are safe and reliable options for coverage of pressure sores located at different locations. Freedom in flap design and low donor-site morbidity make gluteal perforator flaps an excellent choice for pressure sore coverage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Akdeniz University School of Medicine, Antalya, Turkey. coskunfirat@superonline.com
authors.forename: O Koray
authors.initials: OK
authors.lastname: Coşkunfirat
authors.forename: H Ege
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Ozgentaş
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002081:Buttocks; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D012008:Recurrence; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence