1.Reconstruction of chronic wounds with sinus tract in inguinal region using a pedicled gracilis musculocutaneous flap: a report of 10 cases
Rufei DENG ; Yonghong ZHANG ; Jiaxin CHEN ; Ruchen JI ; Zhenyu JIANG ; Lijin ZOU ; Xuhui DENG ; Youlai ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Microsurgery 2024;47(5):528-532
Objective:To explore the clinical effect of a pedicled gracilis musculocutaneous flap on reconstruction of chronic sinus wounds in inguinal region.Methods:From September 2015 to June 2023, 10 patients with chronic inguinal sinus wounds were treated in Medical Centre of Burn Plastic and Wound Repair, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University. The patients were 6 males and 4 females, aged 15-72 years old with an average age of 45 years old. Causes of injury: 4 patients were of non-healed wound after inguinal lymph node dissection for external genital or penile cancer, 2 of chronic radiation ulcers formed in the inguinal area after radiotherapy, 2 of femoral artery angiography site non-healing after lower limb artery balloon angioplasty, 1 of wound non-healing after resection of inguinal protuberant skin fibrosarcoma, and 1 of non-healing ulceration after repeated scratching due to inguinal pruritus. The wounds were all chronic in the groin region, all with a course over 30 days and sinus formation. Soft tissue defects on the surface of wounds ranged from 2.0 cm × 3.0 cm to 5.0 cm × 7.0 cm, and the depth of the sinus was from 2.0 cm to 5.0 cm. After debridement, ipsilateral gracilis musculocutaneous flaps were taken for defect reconstruction. Size of the flaps was 3.5 cm × 4.0 cm - 8.0 cm × 9.0 cm, the length of the gracilis musculocutaneous composite flaps was 16.0 - 24.0 cm, and the volume of the flap was 96.0 - 180.0 cm 3. The gracilis tissue of the flap was filled into the sinus tract and the wound was covered by the cutaneous tissue of the flap. Donor sites of the flap were pulled together and directly sutured. After surgery, hip movements were avoided and appropriately raised the affected limb, observed the survival of gracilis musculocutaneous flap as well as the healing of donor site. Scheduled postoperative follow-ups were conducted through the visits of outpatient clinic and interviews via WeChat or Internet hospital. Results:All the flaps survived. One flap had bleeding at the edge of flap within 24 hours after surgery and resulted in suture dehiscence. After bedside haemostasis, debridement and re-suture, it was healed. All donor sites achieved primary healing. All of the 10 patients were included in the postoperative follow-up for 6-21 months, with an average of 13 months. The flaps were in good colour and appearance, and the patients were satisfactory with the appearance. Scars were seen in the donor sites, but there was no obvious functional impairment. During the follow-up, no flap rupture occurred.Conclusion:The pedicled gracilis musculocutaneous flap is used to reconstruction of chronic inguinal sinus wounds, which can fully fill the sinus tract and simultaneously reconstruct the soft tissue defect of wound. This surgery is simple, practical and with good clinical efficacy.