title: The Pacman Perforator-Based V-Y Advancement Flap for Reconstruction of Pressure Sores at Different Locations.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many procedures have been proposed for the treatment of pressure sores, and V-Y advancement flaps are widely used to repair a defect. Unfortunately, the degree of mobility of a V-Y advancement flap is dependent on the laxity of the underlying subcutaneous tissue. This is an important disadvantage of traditional V-Y advancement flap and limits its use.We used V-Y advancement flaps as perforator-based to overcome mobility restriction problem, with a further modification (Pacman-like shape) to improve the covering surface area of the flap.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 2012 and December 2014, the authors used 37 V-Y Pacman perforator-based flaps in 33 consecutive patients for coverage of defects located at sacral (n = 21), ischial (n = 13), trochanter (n = 1) regions. There were 27 male and 6 female patients with a mean age of 49.9 years (range, 15-74 years).
  
  
  RESULTS
  All flaps survived completely (92.3%) except 3 in which one of them had undergone total necrosis due to hematoma and the other 2 had partial necrosis. No venous congestion was observed. The mean follow-up period was 14.9 months (range, 2-38 months). No flap surgery-related mortality or recurrence of pressure sores was noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The V-Y Pacman perforator-based advancement flaps are safe and very effective for reconstruction of pressure sores at various regions. The advantage of our modification procedure include shorter operative time, lesser pedicle dissection, low donor site morbidity, good preservation of muscle, and offers remarkable excursion to the V-Y flap, which make the V-Y Pacman perforator-based flaps an excellent choice for large pressure sore coverage.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Plastic Reconstructive Surgery and Burn Unit, Ospedale Niguarda Ca' Granda Piazza Ospedale Maggiore, Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bonomi
authors.forename: André
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salval
authors.forename: Federica
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brenta
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rapisarda
authors.forename: Fernanda
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Settembrini
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D061525:Perforator Flap; D003668:Pressure Ulcer / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult