Successful reconstruction of ischial pressure sores with inferior gluteal artery descending branch perforator flap

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Ischial pressure sores often recur, the surgical choice often troubled the surgeon, because surgery repair should consider future reconstructive procedures. The purpose of this article is to present a new surgical option for the reconstruction of primary or recurrent ischial pressure sores by using an inferior gluteal artery of the descending branch perforator flap. METHODS: A study involving patients suffering from ischial pressure sores was performed from March 2016 to August 2020. Patients with large defects, for which direct closure was not possible, underwent reconstructive surgery using an inferior gluteal artery descending branch perforator flap. Collected data included age, diabetes, wound culture, size of the wound, whether or not negative pressure therapy was received, operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and postoperative complications. Patients were followed up through outpatient visits or by telephone. RESULTS: Five patients with ischial pressure sores (four primary and one recurrent) underwent reconstructive surgery with inferior gluteal artery descending branch perforator flap. One patient received colostomy and wound negative pressure therapy before lesion reconstruction. All patients successfully recovered without postoperative complications. The follow-up period ranged from 4 to 31 months. No wound disruption or recurrence was recorded. CONCLUSIONS: Inferior gluteal artery descending branch perforator flap treatment of ischial pressure sores is a simple and feasible method for preserving the inferior gluteal artery's main vascular perforators and could be used as a future surgical option.