Rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap in radical oncopelvic surgery: a safe and useful procedure.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the usefulness of rectus abdominis myocutaneous (RAM) flaps to treat locally advanced pelvic gynaecological or digestive tumours.


METHODS
We reviewed 46 patients, who received RAM flaps after radical oncopelvic surgery, including: (a) total vaginal reconstruction (TVR); (b) partial vaginal reconstruction (PVR); (c) perineal reconstruction (PR).


RESULTS
Between 1989 and 1998, 46 patients underwent pelvi-perineal reconstruction with RAM flaps after radical pelvic surgery for carcinoma of the cervix (n=22), anal carcinoma (n=11), rectal carcinoma (n=7), or other pelvic tumours types (n=6). There were two post-operative deaths. Overall surgical morbidity was 45, 6% (n=21). Specific morbidity of the RAM flap was 21, 7% (n=10). Global re-intervention rate was 13% (n=6).


CONCLUSIONS
Rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap in radical oncopelvic surgery is useful for vaginal or perineal reconstruction and prevention of pelvic collections after extended resections with a low rate of associated morbidity.
Houvenaeghel
G
G
Department of Digestive and Oncologic Surgery, Anti-cancer Center Paoli-Calmettes, 232 Bd Sainte Marguerite, 13009 Marseille, France. houvenaeg@marseille.fnclcc.fr
Ghouti
L
L
Moutardier
V
V
Buttarelli
M
M
Lelong
B
B
Delpero
J R
JR
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010502:Perineum; D012004:Rectal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D017568:Rectus Abdominis / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome