title: Gracilis myocutaneous flap: evaluation of potential risk factors and long-term donor-site morbidity.
abstract: This study reviewed our experience with the gracilis myocutaneous (GMC) flap, potential risk factors for flap necrosis, and long-term morbidity at the donor-site. From 1993 to 2002, 29 GMC flaps were harvested from 27 patients (pedicled n = 21 and free n = 8). The overall incidence of flap necrosis was 13.79% (partial (n = 2) and total (n = 2) necrosis). Flap necrosis was correlated with body mass index >25 (P = 0.022), with smoking (P = 0.04 9) and with radiation therapy at the recipient site (P = 0.020). The long-term morbidity at the donor-site was low, except for scar appearance (17.24%), thigh contour deformity (58.62%), and hypoesthesia (17.24%). Significant age and gender differences were seen for ranking of scar ugliness, with females (P = 0.0061) and younger patients (age ≤55) (P = 0.046) assigned higher values. Significant age differences were seen for ranking of thigh contour deformity, with younger patients assigned higher values (P = 0.0012). In conclusion, patient overweight, smoking, and previous radiation therapy at the recipient site may be the "potential risk factors" for flap necrosis. The long-term morbidity at the donor-site was low, which was in agreement with previous reported studies. A larger series would be the subject of a future study.
authors: Second Department of Propedeutic Surgery, LAIKO Hospital, Athens, Greece; Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, A SYGROS Hospital, Athens, Greece.
authors: Othon
authors: O
authors: Papadopoulos
authors: Petros
authors: P
authors: Konofaos
authors: Panos
authors: P
authors: Georgiou
authors: Chrisostomos
authors: C
authors: Chrisostomidis
authors: Zacharias
authors: Z
authors: Tsantoulas
authors: Dimitrios
authors: D
authors: Karypidis
authors: Alkiviadis
authors: A
authors: Kostakis
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000637:transplantation; D009336:Necrosis; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors; D060053:Transplant Donor Site