Gracilis myocutaneous flap for perineal defect reconstruction after left hemivulvectomy for locally invasive vulvar cancer – A case report and a literature review

Abstract

Performing radical surgery for locally advanced vulvar cancer is usually associated with the occurrence of large perineal defects. In order to provide a better healing process of the perineal wound, different reconstructive techniques have been proposed. We present the case of a 63-year-old female patient diagnosed with locally advanced vulvar cancer for which a left hemivulvectomy with bilateral inguinal lymph node dissection was performed. After completion of the resection phase, the reconstruction with gracilis myocutaneous flap was performed. The patient developed a non-union of the flap. However, it slowly healed without any surgical re-intervention. Gracilis myocutaneous flap seems to be an effective and feasible method of perineal reconstruction after extended perineal resection for gynecological malignancies, including vulvar cancer. The method appears effective even in pre-irradiated patients with larger perineal wounds resulting after total pelvic exenteration for locally advanced gynecological malignancies.

Keywords

• radical total vulvectomy
• perineal defect
• gracilis myocutaneous flap