ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This review aimed to present the experience of the Micro-surgery Unit of the Department of Orthopedics of the UP-PGH, in the use of fasciocutaneous rotation-advancement flap coverage for sacral decubitus ulcers.METHODS: A review of patient referred to the unit of management of sacral decubitus ulcers, from 2003-2009. All patients with grades III or IV ulcers, managed with fasciocutaneous flap coverage, and with a minimum follow-up of 1 month were included in the study. Demographic data for all patients were retrieved including albumin level at the time of surgery, operative time, blood loss, complication and status of flap.RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were included in the analysis. The mean age of the patients was 57 years (with a range of 18-78 years). The average operative time was 2.7 hours±1.1 hours and the average blood loss was 428 ml (range, 100 - 500 ml). With a mean follow-up of 9.6 months, there were 3 recurrences and 2 mortalities. Twelve complications were documented in the 25 patients. Seventy-two percent (18/25) had healed sacral flaps on final follow-up.