Clinical and surgical aspects of vulvar reconstruction with tensor fasciae latae flaps after en bloc radical vulvectomy.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to assess some clinico-surgical aspects of vulvar reconstruction with m. tensor fasciae latae flaps (TFL).


METHODS
This retrospective study covers the period 1996-2002, and 51 patients with vulvar carcinoma were analyzed. Seven (13.7%) patients had undergone en bloc resection, followed by vulvar reconstruction with TFL., 28 (54.9%) radical vulvectomy with bilateral inguinofemoral lymph node dissection, and 12 (23.5%) patients simple vulvectomy.


RESULTS
In 13 (25.5%) patients recurrences were found, that could not be statistically related to the type of surgical intervention (p=0.47). The overall 2-year survival was 82%. Factors contributing to prognosis included FIGO stage, the presence of recurrence and its type. Nine (17.6%) patients had died and the distribution by type of surgery in that group was as follows: en bloc resection with TFL reonstruction--14.3%, radical vulvectomy with lymph node dissection--17.9%, and simple vulvectomy--25%. The correlation was statistically nonsignificant (p=0.71).


CONCLUSIONS
The comparison of the 3 surgical methods of treating primary vulvar carcinoma showed no influence on survival, mortality rate, and type and rate of recurrences. To obtain a reliable clinico-surgical assessment, a multicenter study is necessary.
Gorchev
G
G
Clinic of Gynecologic Oncolsogy, Oncologic Center, Medical University, Pleven, Bulgaria.
Tomov
S
S
Baichev
G
G
Popovska
S
S
Velkova
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000601:surgery; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D018289:Carcinoma, Verrucous / Q000601:surgery; D005206:Fascia Lata / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D013509:Gynecologic Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D007264:Inguinal Canal / Q000601:surgery; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*