Case report: Posterior arm perforator flap for reconstruction of axillary defect after infected radiation-induced ulcer

Abstract

Axillary soft tisue defects are uncommon in Vietnam. We report a case of an 81-year-old female patient had an infected axillary skin ulcer after going through a radical surgery and radiation therapy 30 years ago. In this case, a CT scanner was used to evaluate the fundus of the lesion and biopsy to rule out malignancy. The treatment procedure was eliminating infection based on the antibiogram, wound care, debridement, negative pressure wound therapy and reconstruction of defect. The optimal choice in this case was to use posterior arm perforator flap. After the surgery, the flap had a good vitality and the wound healed after 3 weeks. The case affirmed that the posterior arm perforator flap is suitable for axillary coverage and should be considered as one of the main options for axillary reconstruction.