title: Restoration of the gluteal fold by a deepithelialized skin flap: preliminary observations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The gluteal fold represents an important aspect of the gluteal region. Destruction of this anatomic landmark as a consequence of trauma or tissue harvest can result in an aesthetically disturbing disfigurement. A technique for reconstruction of the gluteal fold and preliminary results are presented.
  
  
  METHODS
  The newly formed gluteal fold is created by fixation of a deepithelialized skin flap to the periosteum of the tuber ischiadicum.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The operative procedure is quick and easy to apply. The method is used mainly for patients with a distorted gluteal fold after tissue harvest for breast reconstruction. However, it also can be used after trauma such as that associated with burn injuries. In all patients, reconstruction of the gluteal fold yielded aesthetically pleasing and reliable results with high patient satisfaction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors present a simple and effective technique for reconstruction of the gluteal fold by a deepithelialized skin flap. The technique is applicable for patients who have lost their natural gluteal sulcus, with a resultant altered buttock shape, after trauma or other causes.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria. georg.huemer@uibk.ac.at
authors.forename: Georg M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Huemer
authors.forename: Karin M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Dunst
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Schoeller
mesh_terms: D000273:Adipose Tissue / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D002056:Burns / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D002081:Buttocks / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013848:Thigh / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*