title: Versatile lotus petal flap for vulvoperineal reconstruction after gynecological ablative surgery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the present work was to assess the efficacy and complications of the use of the lotus petal flap in the vulvoperineal reconstruction among female patients treated for vulvar malignancies.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between December 2000 and April 2003, five patients underwent vulvoperineal reconstructions with the fasciocutaneous skin flaps elevated from gluteal folds immediately after vulvoperineal ablative surgeries at National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean surface area of vulvoperineal tissue defects was 157.9 cm(2) (64.0-195.0 cm(2)), which could be filled completely by bilateral lotus petal flaps. The mean length of follow-up was 18 months (7-32 months). All flaps successfully survived without fatal necrosis. In postoperative follow-up, all patients had no complaint of pain and no abnormal sensation at the site of flap or at the donor site, and the lotus petal flap caused no severe damage to excretion, mobility of the hip, or the sensation in the vulvoperineal area. The gluteal fold could make the donor-site scar stand out in all patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The lotus petal flap is thought to be one of the most ideal reconstructive procedures for vulvoperineal region from various viewpoints of oncology, function, wound healing, and cosmetic surgery.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gynecology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan. mosawada@gan2.res.ncc.go.jp
authors.forename: Morio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sawada
authors.forename: Yoshihiro
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kimata
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kasamatsu
authors.forename: Tsuneo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yasumura
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Onda
authors.forename: Takuro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.forename: Ryuichiro
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tsunematsu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010502:Perineum / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*