[Repair of bedsores and ulcers with gluteus maximus musculocutaneous flap].

ABSTRACT

From 1984 to 1991, 5 cases of bedsores and 1 case of ulcer resulted from irradiation in gluteal region were repaired with gluteus maximus musculocutaneous flaps. All 5 cases of bedsores were the result of paraplegia. After a myocutaneous flap was transferred, the donor area was directly sutured without skin grafting. The excision wound in one patient reached 18 cm x 12 cm in size, however it was still repaired with total gluteus maximus musculocutaneous flap, and the donor area was also immediately closed with sutures. All of the patients were healed by first intention. For non-paraplegic patients it was deemed contra-indicated to use a total maximus gluteus musculocutaneous flap, and instead one half of the muscle was used, in order to avoid impairment of function of the hip joint.