Vaginal reconstruction using a modified rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap in pelvic cancer surgery.

Abstract

The authors present a modification of the design for the classic cutaneous pattern of the rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap for vaginal reconstruction after pelvic cancer surgery. The authors designed a paramedial and supraumbilical dermo-cutaneous flap with paraumbilical randomized vascularization, which was sutured to the classic cutaneous TRAM flap pattern and rotated around a longitudinal axis to form the neo-introitus. The use of this new cutaneous design allows for a perfect cylindrical shape all along the length of the new vagina, thus achieving a more anatomic reconstruction than those currently obtained with the classic cutaneous patterns, and with fewer tendencies to distal retraction, necrosis, and partial stenosis.