• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.365-368
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• 2022

Spinal extradural arachnoid cyst (SEAC) is a rare disease and has surgical challenges because of the critical surrounding anatomy. We describe the rare case of a 58-year-old woman who underwent extradural cyst total excision with dural repair and presented with refractory cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage even though two consecutive surgeries including dural defect re-repair and lumbar-peritoneal shunt were performed. The authors covered the sacral defect using bilateral gluteus maximus muscle flap in tongue in groove and wrap around pattern for protection of visible sacral nerve roots and blockage of CSF leakage point. With the flap coverage, the disappearance of cyst and fluid collection was confirmed in the postoperative radiological finding, and the clinical symptoms were significantly improved. By protecting the sacral nerve roots and covering the base of sacral defect, we can minimize the risk of complication and resolve the refractory fluid collection. Our results suggest that the gluteus muscle flap can be a safe and effective option for sacral defect and CSF leakage in extradural cyst or other conditions.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.455-461
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• 2019

Background Various surgical management methods have been proposed for ischial sore reconstruction, yet it has the highest recurrence rate of all pressure ulcer types. A novel approach combining the advantages of a perforator-based fasciocutaneous flap and a muscle flap is expected to resolve the disadvantages of previously introduced surgical methods. Methods Fifteen patients with ischial pressure ulcers with chronic osteomyelitis or bursitis, who underwent reconstructive procedures with an inferior gluteal artery perforator (IGAP) fasciocutaneous flap and a split inferior gluteus maximus muscle flap from January 2011 to June 2016, were analyzed retrospectively. The split muscle flap was rotated to obliterate the deep ischial defect, managing the osteomyelitis or bursitis, and the IGAP fasciocutaneous flap was rotated or advanced to cover the superficial layer. The patients' age, sex, presence of bursitis or osteomyelitis, surgical details, complications, follow-up period, and ischial sore recurrence were reviewed. Results All ischial pressure ulcers were successfully reconstructed without any flap loss. The mean duration of follow-up was 12.9 months (range, 3-35 months). Of 15 patients, one had a recurrent ulcer 10 months postoperatively, which was repaired by re-advancing the previously elevated fasciocutaneous flap. Conclusions The dual-flap procedure with an IGAP fasciocutaneous flap and split inferior gluteus maximus muscle flap for ischial pressure ulcer reconstruction is a useful method that combines the useful characteristics of perforator and muscle flaps, providing thick dual padding with sufficient vascularization while minimizing donor morbidity and vascular pedicle injury.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.714-719
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• 2009

Purpose: Recurrent ischial pressure sore is troublesome for adequate soft tissue coverage, because usually its pocket has a very large deep space and adjacent donor tissue have been scarred in the previous surgery. However, the conventional reconstructive methods are very difficult to overcome them. Modified gluteus maximus myocutaneous V - Y advancement flap from buttock can be successfully used in these circumstances. Methods: From February 2007 to October 2008, modified gluteus maximus myocutaneous V - Y advancement flaps were perfomed in 10 paraplegic patients with recurrent ischial pressure sore. The myocutaneous flap based on the inferior gluteal artery was designed in V - shaped pattern toward the superolateral aspect of buttock and was elevated from adjacent tissue. Furthermore, when additional muscular bulk was required to obliterate dead space, the flap dissection was extended to the inferolateral aspect which can included the adequate amount of the gluteal muscle. After the advanced flap was located in sore pocket, donor defect was repaired primarily. Results: The patients' mean age was 46.9 and the average follow - up period was 12.4 months. The immediate postoperative course was uneventful. But, two patients were treated through readvancement of previous flap due to wound dehiscence or recurrence after 6 months. The long - term results were satisfied in proper soft tissue bulk and low recurrence rate. Conclusions: The modified gluteus maximus myocutaneous V - Y advancement flap may be a reliable method in reconstruction of recurrent ischial pressure sore, which were surrounded by scarred tissue because of its repetitive surgeries and were required to provide sufficient volume of soft tissue to fill the large pocket.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.191-196
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• 2007

Purpose: Gluteal perforator is easily identified in the gluteal region and gluteal perforator flap is a very versatile flap in sacral sore reconstruction. We obtained satisfying results using the gluteal perforator flap, so we report this clinical experiences with a review of the literature. Methods: Between November of 2003 and April 2006, the authors used 16 gluteal perforator flaps in 16 consecutive patients for coverage of sacral pressure sores. The mean age of the patients was 47.4 years (range, 14 to 78 years), and there were 9 male and 7 female patients. All flaps in the series were supplied by musculocutaneous arteries and its venae comitantes penetrating the gluteus maximus muscle and reaching the intrafascial and suprafascial planes, and the overlying skin forming a rich vascular plexus arising from gluteal muscles. Patients were followed up for a mean period of 11.5 months. Results: All flaps survived except one that had undergone total necrosis by patient's negligence. Wound dehiscence was observed in three patients and treated by secondary closure. There was no recurrence during the follow-up period. Conclusion: Gluteal perforator flaps allow safe and reliable options for coverage of sacral pressure sores with minimal donor site morbidity, and do not sacrifice the gluteus maximus muscle and rarely lead to post-operative complications. Freedom in flap design and easy-to perform make gluteal perforator flap an excellent choice for selected patients.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.62-67
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• 2000

Recently, the incidence of pressure sore has been increased, due to increased number of patients with central nervous system injuries after traffic and industrial accidents or with long term loss of consciousness due to drug intoxication. The management of sacral pressure sore has been improved through the development of myocutaneous flap. However, sacrifice of the deep muscle cause some problems such as intraoperative bleeding, functional disabilities of donor site and further limitation of reconstruction for recurrent pressure sores in paraplegic patients. The development of perforator-based island skin flap introduce a new treatment modality for sacral pressure sores. We used perforator-based island skin flap in 15 cases with reasonable result from January 1998 to February 2000. This flap has a many advantages such as no significant sacrifice of the gluteus maximus muscle, wide rotation arc, reliable blood flow of the perforator, short elevation time for the flap, and no post-operative hindrance to walking in patients who are not paraplegic. There was no significant complication without significant sequelae and donor sites could be repaired primarily.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.181-186
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• 2006

Myocutaneous flaps have improved the management of soft tissue defects on buttocks and lower extremity. However, there are several inherent disadvantages of muscle flaps such as functional deficits of the donor sites and the bulkiness at the recipient site. To overcome these disadvantages, we have used perforator-based fasciocutaneous rotation flaps for reconstruction of the buttock and lower extremity defects. From March 2003 to February 2005, we have treated 14 patients using perforator-based fasciocutaneous rotation flaps. 10 flaps were based on perforators of the gluteus maximus muscle, and 4 flaps were nourished by perforators from the tibialis anterior and posterior system. The mean postoperative follow-up period was about 1 year. The technique involves localization of the flap perforators preoperatively with a Doppler. The flaps were elevated superficial to the fascia with preservation of one to three perforators. The donor site is then closed primarily. All flaps completely survived and there was no perioperative complications. There was no functional disability of the donor area with esthetically pleasing results. Perforator-based fasciocutaneous rotation flaps for the reconstruction of buttock and lower extremity defects are excellent alternatives to musculocutaeous flaps. The vascularity of the flaps is robust and dissection is technically easy. Perforator flaps do not require sacrificing muscles, but provide sufficient volume and are durable Furthermore, these flaps result in less scar formation and allow more liberal dissection with safety. We conclude that perforator-based fasciocutaneous rotation flaps are very useful for reconstruction of the buttock and lower extremity.