Prevalence of Complications after Limberg Rhomboid Flap in Patients with Cutaneous Defects at A Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Limberg rhomboid flap is an extremely useful and versatile technique to cover thecutaneous defects in various anatomical locations of different etiology and varied sizes. The mainaim of the study is to find the prevalence of complications after limberg rhomboid flap in patientswith cutaneous defects at a tertiary care hospital. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital fromOctober 2015 to November 2018 after obtaining approval from the institutional review committee.Study population is patient admitted to ward and outpatient department of surgery. Conveniencesampling was done. Data was entered and analyzed in statistical package for social sciences andpoint estimate at 95% confidence interval was calculated along with frequency and proportion forbinary data. Results: Out of total patients, the complications were seen in total 8 (15.7%) patients. Prevalenceof complications is 8 (15.7%) at 95% confidence interval (7.85-23.56). Among which, complicationswere seen in 5 (9.8%) bed sore, 2 (3.92%) in pilonidal sinus, 1 (1.96%) in traumatic ulcer and none inneoplastic lesion and types of complications seen were wound gaping in 3 (5.88%) cases, surgical siteinfection in 2 (3.92%) cases, recurrent pilonidal sinus in 1 (1.96%) case, flap necrosis in 1 (1.96%) caseand epidermolysis in 1 (1.96%) case. Conclusions: The Limberg rhomboid flap can be used safely in patients with cutaneous defectwith minimal complications and good surgical outcome however prevalence of complications afterlimberg rhomboid flap in patients with cutaneous defects at tertiary care center is high compared tothe previous studies done.