BACKGROUND: Neovaginal reconstruction after pelvic exenteration has several advantages. Besides the obvious psychosocial benefit to the patient and her partner, the incorporation of viable tissue into the pelvic cavity decreases the incidence of infection and small-bowel complications. Several surgical techniques are available to the gynecologic oncologist for construction of a functional vagina. Recently, myocutaneous flaps incorporating the rectus abdominis and gracilis muscles have been used. Disadvantages of the gracilis myocutaneous flap are the 10-20% incidence of flap loss due to vascular compromise and the potential for prolapse. The rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap is a large flap with a reliable blood supply that allows mobilization without tension on the vascular pedicle, resulting in a much lower incidence of vascular compromise. CASE: We present two case reports, a review of the gynecologic and surgical literature, and the techniques for vaginal reconstruction using the rectus muscle as a myocutaneous flap. CONCLUSIONS: The outcome for both patients was a satisfactory functional vagina that was technically easy to construct. The rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap can provide an adequate neovagina with minimal morbidity.
BACKGROUND: Neovaginal reconstruction after pelvic exenteration has several advantages. Besides the obvious psychosocial benefit to the patient and her partner, the incorporation of viable tissue into the pelvic cavity decreases the incidence of infection and small-bowel complications. Several surgical techniques are available to the gynecologic oncologist for construction of a functional vagina. Recently, myocutaneous flaps incorporating the rectus abdominis and gracilis muscles have been used. Disadvantages of the gracilis myocutaneous flap are the 10-20% incidence of flap loss due to vascular compromise and the potential for prolapse. The rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap is a large flap with a reliable blood supply that allows mobilization without tension on the vascular pedicle, resulting in a much lower incidence of vascular compromise. CASE: We present two case reports, a review of the gynecologic and surgical literature, and the techniques for vaginal reconstruction using the rectus muscle as a myocutaneous flap. CONCLUSIONS: The outcome for both patients was a satisfactory functional vagina that was technically easy to construct. The rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap can provide an adequate neovagina with minimal morbidity.