Clinical Outcomes of Large Meningomyelocele Defect Repair by Bilateral Fasciocutaneous Rotation and Advancement Flaps with Perforators

Abstract

Objective: Neural tube defects occur in approximately one in 1000 live births in the US. Myelomeningocele (MMC) is the most common and severe form of spina bifida aperta. In this study, we present a surgical modification of the bilateral fasciocutaneous rotation and advancement flap technique in MMC patients. Material and Methods: Twenty-four patients (12 male, 12 female) with MMC who were operated on between August 2011 and June 2013 were retrospectively evaluated. Presence of hydrocephalus, the neurological status, and the level and size of the MMC were recorded. We used bilateral perforator-based fasciocutaneous rotation and advancement flaps for defects larger than 3 cm in width, or in the presence of prominent kyphosis together with any defect size. Results: The follow-up period ranged from eight days to two years. One patient died on the eighth day after surgery because of sepsis secondary to aspiration pneumonia. One patient had cerebrospinal fluid accumulation under the repair zone. In another patient, cerebrospinal fluid leakage through the repaired incision was observed on the ninth day after surgery. Three patients had minimal wound dehiscence at the distal end of the suture line. Conclusion: In this study, 24 patients were treated with the described perforator-based technique by preserving at least one perforator vessel on each side. Reconstruction of MMC defects with paraspinal fasciocutaneous rotation and advancement flaps is still one of the best choices for closing moderate-to-large defects without using skin graft, and the safety of the flaps increases by preserving the perforators.

Keywords

• Myelomeningocele
• meningomyelocele
• fasciocutaneous flap
• perforator flap