| Abstract: | Pressure sores are very common complications following spinal cord injuries and other neurological problems. We present out 15 years' experience in treating pressure sores with myocutaneous flaps. Each anatomical site is considered, divided into those in which cover was successful and those with recurrences. Over the past 8 years careful preoperative planning has been used and specific flaps for each anatomical area. Our home care system is organized to cover both domestic and medical problems. Treatment is determined after examining the wound (anatomical site, staging, infection) and underlying medical, nutritional, and neurological problems. The first choice for ischial ulcers is the VY advancement hamstring myocutaneous flap, sacral ulcers a VY myocutaneous advancement flap of gluteus maximus muscle, and for trochanteric ulcers the myocutaneous rotation flap of tensor fascia lata muscle. Using this protocol the treatment outcome of sacral and ischial ulcers has been encouraging, but in trochanteric ulcers the results have been less satisfactory. This experience supports the use of these flaps in the treatment of pressure sores in para and tetraplegic patients. |
