Donor Site Morbidity of Patients Receiving Vertical Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flap for Perineal, Vaginal or Inguinal Reconstruction

Schellerer V, Bartholomé L, Langheinrich M, Grützmann R, Horch RE, Merkel S, Weber K (2020)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2020

Journal

World Journal of Surgery Springer Verlag (Germany)

Abstract

Background: Management of donor site closure after harvesting a vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flap is discussed heterogeneously in the literature. We aim to analyze the postoperative complications of the donor site depending on the closure technique. Methods: During a 12-year period (2003–2015), 192 patients in our department received transpelvic VRAM flap reconstruction. Prospectively collected data were analyzed retrospectively. Results: 182 patients received a VRAM flap reconstruction for malignant, 10 patients for benign disease. The median age of patients was 62 years. 117 patients (61%) received a reconstruction of donor site by Vypro® mesh, 46 patients (24%) by Vicryl® mesh, 23 patients (12%) by direct closure and 6 patients (3%) by combination of different meshes. 32 patients (17%) developed in total 34 postoperative complications at the donor site. 22 complications (11%) were treated conservatively, 12 (6%) surgically. 17 patients (9%) developed incisional hernia during follow-up, with highest incidence in the Vicryl® group (n = 8; 17%) and lowest in the Vypro® group (n = 7; 6%). Postoperative parastomal hernias were found in 30 patients (16%) including three patients with simultaneous hernia around an urostomy and a colostomy. The highest incidence of parastomal hernia was found in patients receiving primary closure of the donor site (n = 6; 26%), the lowest incidence in the Vypro® group (n = 16; 14%). Conclusion: The use of Vypro® mesh for donor site closure appears to be associated with a low postoperative incidence of complications and can therefore be recommended as a preferred technique.

Authors with CRIS profile

Vera Schellerer Department of Surgery Lenka Bartholomé Medizinische Fakultät Robert Grützmann Lehrstuhl für Allgemein- und Viszeralchirurgie Raymund Horch Professur für Plastische Chirurgie und Handchirurgie Susanne Merkel Department of Surgery

How to cite

APA:

Schellerer, V., Bartholomé, L., Langheinrich, M., Grützmann, R., Horch, R.E., Merkel, S., & Weber, K. (2020). Donor Site Morbidity of Patients Receiving Vertical Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flap for Perineal, Vaginal or Inguinal Reconstruction. World Journal of Surgery. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00268-020-05788-5

MLA:

Schellerer, Vera, et al. "Donor Site Morbidity of Patients Receiving Vertical Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flap for Perineal, Vaginal or Inguinal Reconstruction." World Journal of Surgery (2020).

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