Anatomy study and clinical applications of complex tissue flap pedicled with inferior gluteal artery perforator for repairing giant sacrococcygeal pressure sore / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To discuss the technical feasibility and clinical effectiveness of using complex tissue flap pedicled with inferior gluteal artery perforator for repair giant sacrococcygeal pressure sore.Methods Thirty embalmed lower limbs of adult cadavers perfused with red latex were used for anatomical study,and the followings were observed①The course,branche and distribution of gluteal artery.②The course and distribution of the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve.③Anastomosis between the posterior cutaneous branch of gluteal artery and nutrient vessels of the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve.8 cases aging from 17 years to 56 years were completed during May 2007 to July 2013,6 cases were males and 2 cases were females.The sizes of pressure sore with the depth to Ⅳ degree were ranged from 16 cm × 9 cm to 22 cm × 10 cm.The sizes of flaps were harvested from 32 cm × 10 cm to 25 cm × 9 cm.Results The gluteal artery crossed the edge of the piriformis,the main stem was (3.1 ± 0.4) mm in diameter and gave out 2-5 muscular branches to supply the gluteus maximus.The posterior femoral cutaneous nerve crossed the edge of gluteus maximus and descended between biceps femoris and semitendinosus.Perforating deep fascia point located was (5.9 ± 0.8) cm above the line between medial and lateral femoral epicondyle.The constant anastomosis were formed by the posterior cutaneous branch of gluteal artery,the obturator artery perforator and the direct popliteal artery perforator around the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve.The complex flap survived successfully in all patients.Sutures were removed at 14 days postoperatively and the wounds healed well.All supplied areas were closed by directly suturing.Recurrent sacrococcygeal pressure sore was not observed in all cases with satisfied appearance and normal color during the outpatient follow-up period from 5 months to 5 years.Conclusion The united flap of gluteal myocutaneous flap and the posterior femoral cutaneous neurovascular flap pedicled with inferior gluteal artery perforator can be used to primary repair giant sacrococcygeal pressure sore.Rich blood supply,simple operation technique and high rate survival rate was considered as advantages of the flap.The lower recurrence of pressure sore was due to nice wear resisting with rich layer of anatomical structure in the flap and strong ability of anti-infection.The clinical effect was satisfied.