Objective: To investigate the operative technique and the effectiveness of perforator flaps for the treatment of elderly patients with ischia-sacral ulcers.
Methods: Between January 2005 and June 2010, 29 elderly patients with ischia-sacral ulcers were treated. There were 16 males and 13 females, aged from 61 to 75 years (mean, 68 years), including 11 cases of degree III and 18 cases of degree IV according to the standard of the National Pressure Ulcer Advisory Panel (NPUAP). The disease duration was from 5 months to 10 years (median, 5.5 years). The size of ulcers ranged from 7 cm x 6 cm to 12 cm x 10 cm. Of them, 8 cases were companied by cerebral vascular disorders, 6 cases by Alzheimer disease, 11 cases by paraplegia, and 4 cases by others. The flap size ranged from 8 cm x 6 cm to 14 cm x 12 cm. The donor sites were sutured directly.
Results: Distal flap necrosis occurred in 3 cases (10.3%) 2 days after operation and healed after symptomatic treatment, and the remaining flaps survived and wound healed by first intention with first intention rate of 89.7%. The incisions of donor sites healed primarily. Two cases (6.9%) had infection 1 week after operation and 1 case (3.4%) had wound dehiscence 10 days after operation. Twenty-seven patients were followed up 6 months to 5 years (mean, 3 years). Two cases recurred at 1 and 3 years after operation, respectively. One died of infection, and the other healed by debridement and suture. The flaps of other patients had good texture, color, and elasticity.
Conclusion: As long as the indications are controlled strictly, good effectiveness can be achieved in the treatment of elderly patients with ischia-sacral ulcers by using perforator flaps.