Distal perforator-based fasciocutaneous V-Y flap for treatment of sacral pressure ulcers

Plast Reconstr Surg. 2004 Sep 15;114(4):906-9. doi: 10.1097/01.prs.0000133167.81269.40.

Abstract

Although the gluteal V-Y advancement flap has been recognized as the most reliable method for management of sacral pressure ulcers, its limited mobility has been a challenging problem. The authors present a new modification of the V-Y advancement flap to overcome the problem. After débridement, a large triangle is designed to create a V-Yadvancement flap on the unilateral buttock and the medial half is elevated as a fasciocutaneous flap, preserving the distal perforators in the muscular attachment. Then an arc-shaped incision is made in the gluteus maximus muscle along with the lateral edge of the triangular flap. The split muscle is elevated at a depth above the deeper fascia until sufficient advancement of the flap is obtained. This full-thickness elevation of the gluteus maximus muscle from the distal (lateral) side avoids the impairment of perforators or their mother vessels and achieves great advancement. Thirty-one patients with sacral pressure defects larger than 8 cm in diameter were treated using this surgical procedure. Overall, 93.5 percent of the flaps (29 of 31) healed primarily. The largest defect that was closed with a unilateral flap was 16 cm in diameter. The present technique accomplishes remarkable excursion of the unilateral V-Y fasciocutaneous flap, with high flap reliability and preservation of the contralateral buttock as well as gluteus maximus muscle function.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Arteries / surgery
  • Buttocks / blood supply
  • Buttocks / surgery
  • Debridement
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microsurgery*
  • Middle Aged
  • Pressure Ulcer / surgery*
  • Sacrum
  • Surgical Flaps / blood supply*
  • Wound Healing / physiology