Simplified and Versatile Use of Gluteal Perforator Flaps for Pressure Sores

Abstract

As a first choice for treating pressure sores, we present our experiences with gluteal perforator flaps and a simplified surgical technique. Twenty-three gluteal perforator flaps were used in 20 patients (13 males, 7 females; aged, 8-68 years) with pressure sores. The pressure sores were sacral in 16 patients, ischial in 2, and trochanteric in 2 patients. During follow-up, recurrence in the same region did not occur. Our simplified operative technique includes finding a suitable perforator with a Doppler probe (it does not matter from which mother artery), outlining the flap, dissecting the perforator with just enough length, and transposing the flap to the defect. The gluteal region has numerous perforators, and there is no need to depend on strict anatomic landmarks to detect perforator vessels or to sacrifice main arteries, as has been the case when raising gluteal perforator flaps.