Stage Ⅳ pressure ulcers in the femoral trochanter of elderly patients reconstructed by the deep inferior epigastric perforator flap
10.3760/cma.j.cn114453-20231117-00226
- VernacularTitle:腹壁下动脉穿支皮瓣修复老年患者股骨大转子Ⅳ期压疮
- Author:
Rufei DENG
1
;
Luyao LONG
;
Baowen FAN
;
Songhua SONG
;
Zhenyu JIANG
;
Lan JIANG
;
Lijin ZOU
;
Xuhui DENG
;
Lihui WANG
;
Youlai ZHANG
Author Information
1. 南昌大学第一附属医院烧伤整形与创面修复医学中心，南昌 330006
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Pressure ulcer;
Surgical flaps;
Microsurgery;
Wound healing;
Perforator Flap;
Femoral trochanter
- From:
Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery
2025;41(2):183-190
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate the feasibility and clinical outcomes of using the deep inferior epigastric perforator flap to repair stage Ⅳ pressure ulcers in elderly patients with the femoral trochanter.Methods:Retrospective analysis of clinical data of elderly patients with stage Ⅳ pressure ulcers of the femoral trochanter treated at the Medical Center of Burn Plastic and Wound Repair, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University from May 2018 to May 2023 using the deep inferior epigastric perforator flap.The deep inferior epigastric perforator flap was designed on the same side of the abdomen based on the preoperative detection of the paraumbilical perforating branch.The axis of the inferior epigastric artery was determined by the line connecting the femoral artery pulsation point at the inguinal ligament and the obvious paraumbilical perforating branch point. The axis of the skin flap was determined by the line connecting the obvious paraumbilical perforating branch point and the subscapular angle. Combined with the situation of the sinus after pressure ulcer debridement and the range of skin and soft tissue defects, the inferior epigastric artery perforating branch skin flap was cut and repaired. The pedicle of the inferior epigastric artery was freed to the required length according to the location of the pressure ulcer, and the wound was transferred and repaired through a subcutaneous tunnel. The donor area was directly pulled and sutured. The survival of the skin flap and the healing of the donor site wound after surgery were observed, and the recurrence of pressure ulcers, the appearance and texture of the skin flap, and the recovery of the donor site were followed up regularly.Results:A total of 11 patients were included, including 7 males and 4 females; age ranged from 66 to 83 years old, with an average of 72.1 years old. There were total of 11 pressure ulcers in the femoral trochanter, with an area of 5.0 cm × 3.0 cm-13.0 cm ×6.0 cm before debridement and an area of 8.0 cm × 5.0 cm-16.0 cm × 8.0 cm after debridement. The deep inferior epigastric perforator flap was used to repair the wound. The flap was cut with an area of 10.0 cm × 6.0 cm-18.0 cm × 9.0 cm, and the length of the blood vessels in the flap pedicle was 12-16 cm, with an average of 14 cm. After surgery, 9 of the 11 flaps survived completely. One skin flap developed purplish discoloration at the distal end 24 hours after surgery, which was relieved by removing the suture at the site with high tension at the wound edge. One skin flap also showed slight necrosis at the distal end. The flap was removed under local anesthesia at the bedside of the ward, and the surgical wound was directly sutured. After dressing change, it healed. The wounds in the donor area all healed well. Follow up for 3-15 months postoperatively, with an average of 11 months, showed no recurrence of pressure ulcers in all patients. The skin flap had a soft texture, and its color and appearance were similar to those of the surrounding skin. No abdominal wall hernia was observed in the inferior epigastric donor area.Conclusion:The deep inferior epigastric perforator flap has a long vascular pedicle, reliable blood supply, sufficient tissue volume for cutting, no recurrence of pressure ulcers after surgery, good appearance and texture of the affected area, and no secondary abdominal wall hernia in the donor site. It is an effective method for repairing stage Ⅳ pressure ulcers of the femoral trochanter in elderly patients.
