Sumanas W Jordan1, Mauricio De la Garza2, Victor L Lewis3. 1. Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA. 2. Institute for Plastic Surgery, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine, Springfield, IL, USA. 3. Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA. Electronic address: nw_aesthetics@yahoo.com.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Despite newly introduced techniques, reconstruction of ischial pressure ulcers remains a difficult problem with high-reported failure rates. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on all spinal cord injury patients who underwent ischial pressure ulcer reconstruction by the senior author (V.L.) between 2004 and 2012. The two-stage procedure consisted of debridement and bone biopsy, followed by bursectomy, partial ischiectomy, fascial release, and gluteus maximus and hamstring advancement flaps. Postoperative care included 2-week supine bed rest on an air-fluidized bed, sitting tolerance rehabilitation, and thorough behavioral training. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients (74 flaps) were identified. A 45.9% had a previous attempt at reconstruction. The median follow-up period was 622 days. Overall, 67.6% of flaps were intact at the last follow-up. Superficial and deep dehiscence rates were 16.2 and 28.4%, respectively. Seven out of 35 flaps suffered late recurrence after being well healed for more than 1 year. History of previous reconstruction was found to be associated with increased odds of superficial (OR 6.02, 95% CI 1.55-23.3) and deep dehiscence (OR 12.3, 95% CI 1.99-76.9). CONCLUSIONS: The evolution of the senior author's decades of practice has led to the development of a simpler repair, which relies on plane-by-plane release of scarred tissues to improve the mobility of muscle and skin flaps without large tissue movements, even in the setting of apparent extensive tissue loss. This technique is a reliable option, particularly for the primary ischial pressure ulcer.
BACKGROUND: Despite newly introduced techniques, reconstruction of ischial pressure ulcers remains a difficult problem with high-reported failure rates. METHODS: A retrospective chart review was performed on all spinal cord injurypatients who underwent ischial pressure ulcer reconstruction by the senior author (V.L.) between 2004 and 2012. The two-stage procedure consisted of debridement and bone biopsy, followed by bursectomy, partial ischiectomy, fascial release, and gluteus maximus and hamstring advancement flaps. Postoperative care included 2-week supine bed rest on an air-fluidized bed, sitting tolerance rehabilitation, and thorough behavioral training. RESULTS: Sixty-five patients (74 flaps) were identified. A 45.9% had a previous attempt at reconstruction. The median follow-up period was 622 days. Overall, 67.6% of flaps were intact at the last follow-up. Superficial and deep dehiscence rates were 16.2 and 28.4%, respectively. Seven out of 35 flaps suffered late recurrence after being well healed for more than 1 year. History of previous reconstruction was found to be associated with increased odds of superficial (OR 6.02, 95% CI 1.55-23.3) and deep dehiscence (OR 12.3, 95% CI 1.99-76.9). CONCLUSIONS: The evolution of the senior author's decades of practice has led to the development of a simpler repair, which relies on plane-by-plane release of scarred tissues to improve the mobility of muscle and skin flaps without large tissue movements, even in the setting of apparent extensive tissue loss. This technique is a reliable option, particularly for the primary ischial pressure ulcer.