Open AccessThe operative treatment of pressure wounds: a 10‐year experience in flap selection
Author(s) -
Ahluwalia Romy,
Martin Daniel,
Mahoney James L
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
international wound journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.867
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1742-481X
pISSN - 1742-4801
DOI - 10.1111/j.1742-481x.2010.00662.x
Subject(s) - medicine , pressure sores , surgery , posterior compartment of thigh , ischium , complication , ischial tuberosity , thigh , demographics , negative pressure wound therapy , demography , sociology , pelvis , alternative medicine , pathology
This study sought to both assist in the selection of flaps for ischial pressure wound re‐construction and to evaluate the overall complication rates associated with re‐construction. A retrospective medical record review was conducted for 78 patients following the surgical re‐construction of an ischial pressure sore. Records were reviewed for demographics, location of sores, methods of re‐construction and flap selection, as well as any complications and recurrences. Seventy‐two wounds were re‐constructed with an average of 1·4 flaps used per wound. An ischial flap complication rate of 16% was observed in flap follow up, with a recurrence rate of 7% recorded. The vast majority of complications went on to heal with 15% of patients requiring a second re‐construction. Our relatively large sample of ischial flaps allowed for a close comparison with previously published work. Both flap selection and site of reconstruction significantly affected the success rates for pressure sore coverage. The overall complication rates by flap and re‐constructive site in this review are lower than previously published reports. Our experience with ischial re‐construction was extensive enough to suggest a posterior medial thigh fasciocutaneous flap combined with a biceps femoris muscle flap as a first choice in ischial pressure wound re‐construction.