OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of rectus femoris island myocutaneous flap for repairing bedsores in III and IV phases at the femoral greater trochanter area as a result of paraplegia.

METHODSThirteen paraplegic patients who suffered bedsores in III and IV phases at the greater trochanter of femur area were hospitalized from July 2009 to June 2013. The bedsores ranged from 4.5 cm×4.0 cm to 10.0 cm× 9.0 cm in area. After debridement, the size of soft tissue defect ranged from 5.0 cm×4.5 cm to 10.5 cm×10.0 cm. Rectus femoris island myocutaneous flaps were used to repair these defects, with flap area ranging from 5.0 cm×5.0 cm to 11.0 cm×10.0 cm and muscular pedicle length ranging from 8 to 12 cm. The donor sites of muscular pedicle were closed by direct suture, while those resulted from forming myocutaneous flap were closed by the transplantation of autologous skin obtained from thigh.

RESULTSNecrosis appeared at the edge of myocutaneous flap in one patient, and it was healed after dressing change. The other 12 myocutaneous flaps survived well. Patients were followed up for 2 to 30 months, and bedsore did not recur.

CONCLUSIONSRectus femoris island myocutaneous flap, with characteristics of reasonable design, large donor area, big rotation angle, and with wear-, tear-, and pressure-resistance, is suitable for repairing bedsores at III and IV phases at the greater trochanter of femur area in paraplegic patients.