Coverage of Giant Sacral Sore With a Gastrocnemius Myocutaneous Flap Pedicled With Femoral Vessels After Thigh Amputation

Abstract

The purpose of this report was to present the results of coverage of giant sacral sores with a gastrocnemius myocutaneous flap pedicled with femoral vessels after thigh amputation. Between June 1989 and April 2010, 10 patients with paraplegia having giant sacral pressure sores underwent early aggressive surgical debridement followed by surgical reconstruction with a gastrocnemius myocutaneous flap pedicled with femoral vessels after thigh amputation. The spinal cord injury was secondary to trauma in 8 patients and non-traumatic in 2 patients. The wounds measured between 8 cm × 26 cm and 26 cm × 30 cm. The post-operative course was uneventful in 8 patients. Partial flap necrosis occurred in 2 patients who were treated with skin grafts. The follow-up period ranged from 12 to 96 months. There was no recurrence of the sore in any patient. This technique may be a treatment option for the repair of huge sacral bedsores in the absence of other reliable methods for patients with paraplegia.