OBJECTIVE: This review aimed to present the experience of the Micro-surgery Unit of the Department of Orthopedics of the UP-PGH, in the use of fasciocutaneous rotation-advancement flap coverage for sacral decubitus ulcers.

METHODS: A review of patient referred to the unit of management of sacral decubitus ulcers, from 2003-2009. All patients with grades III or IV ulcers, managed with fasciocutaneous flap coverage, and with a minimum follow-up of 1 month were included in the study. Demographic data for all patients were retrieved including albumin level at the time of surgery, operative time, blood loss, complication and status of flap.

RESULTS: Twenty-five patients were included in the analysis. The mean age of the patients was 57 years (with a range of 18-78 years). The average operative time was 2.7 hours±1.1 hours and the average blood loss was 428 ml (range, 100 - 500 ml). With a mean follow-up of 9.6 months, there were 3 recurrences and 2 mortalities. Twelve complications were documented in the 25 patients. Seventy-two percent (18/25) had healed sacral flaps on final follow-up.