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Pedicled Fasciocutaneous Flap of Multi-island Design for Large Sacral Defects

  • Surgical Technique
  • Published:
Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research®

Abstract

We designed a new pedicled fasciocutaneous flap for large sacral defects that combined a classic superior gluteal artery perforator flap and an acentric axis perforator pedicled propeller flap. We asked whether this technique would be simple and result in few complications. Six patients with large sacral defects had reconstruction using this technique in one stage. The size of the defect and postoperative complications in each patient were assessed. The minimum followup was 6 months (mean, 20.1 months; range, 6–38 months). All wounds healed with no recurrence during followup. Five patients achieved healing primarily, and another with minimal drainage achieved healing by secondary intention after a dressing change. No patients had deep infection, wound dehiscence, necrosis, or partial loss or shrinkage of the flap at final followup. The buttocks were symmetric. We consider this a good alternative for reconstructing large sacral defects because it is a relatively simple procedure and results in few complications.

Level of Evidence: Level IV, therapeutic study. See the Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Zhimin Ying (from Taizhou Hospital of Linhai City, Zhejiang province, China) for help in translating the text.

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Correspondence to Yunqin Xu MScMed.

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Each author certifies that he or she has no commercial associations (eg, consultancies, stock ownership, equity interest, patent/licensing arrangements, etc) that might pose a conflict of interest in connection with the submitted article.

Each author certifies that his or her institution has approved the human protocol for this investigation, that all investigations were conducted in conformity with ethical principles of research, and that informed consent was obtained.

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Xu, Y., Hai, H., Liang, Z. et al. Pedicled Fasciocutaneous Flap of Multi-island Design for Large Sacral Defects. Clin Orthop Relat Res 467, 2135–2141 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-008-0643-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-008-0643-3

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