V-Y fasciocutaneous flap of the medial thigh including the long saphenous vein for reconstruction of intrapelvic dead space

Abstract

Some patients develop an intrapelvic infection and fistula caused by the presence of intrapelvic dead space after the resection of rectal cancer, and the treatment is sometimes quite difficult. We have developed a new surgical technique for the treatment and prevention of such fistulas that uses a fasciocutaneous flap from the medial thigh. A V-shaped fasciocutaneous flap with a pedicle on the anterior side of the thigh is designed on the medial thigh and gluteal region. After raising the fasciocutaneous flap that contains the long saphenous vein, the gluteal section including a thick layer of fatty tissue is de-epithelialised, and the flap is rotated and advanced towards the dead space to fill it. Four patients were operated on using our technique. One was a secondary reconstruction: the patient had developed a small fistula after reconstructive surgery, but it healed with conservative treatment. As a result, all four patients achieved satisfactory outcomes. The advantages of our technique include: no change in the position of the body is required for reconstruction; operations are simple; sufficient volume of tissue is obtained from the thick fatty tissues of the gluteal region; and the fasciocutaneous flap contains the long saphenous vein and has good venous circulation. We consider this technique useful for the reconstruction of intrapelvic dead space.