Management of the perineal wound after abdominoperineal resection

Although many options are available for the management of perineal wounds after abdominoperineal resection, ranging from direct closure to flap reconstruction, treatment remains challenging. A better understanding of the aims, drawbacks and progress in perineal wound management after abdominoperineal rectal resection can help the surgeon make better choices for each patient, but it is very difficult to propose a single, optimal, evidence-based procedure for the management of pelvic exenteration. Recent progress provided by the extralevator abdominoperineal resection technique and perforator flap concepts have changed our conception of reconstruction leading to the different technical options highlighted in this review.

[Reconstruction of hand dorsum soft tissue defect using anterolateral thigh perforator flap: description, case study and review of literature]

Reconstruction of hand dorsum soft tissue defect usually requires a flap. The dorsal skin is thin and the underlying structures require coverage by vascularised tissue. We have been using perforator flaps in these cases, especially the anterolateral thigh perforator flap. After a description of the technique, we present a case report in which this flap, in a free version, was used to reconstruct a dorsal hand defect after failure of a posterior interosseous flap. The fascia underlying the flap was used to create a sliding interface for extensor tendons. Postoperative care was without complications. The indications of this flap are numerous but after a review of international literature, we found that its use was seldom reported in France compared to other countries. However, we think that its trophic qualities and minor donor site morbidity make it ideal for coverage of hand dorsum soft tissue defects.

[From Tansini to Angrigiani: improvement and refinement of the thoracodorsal flap]

Flap surgery is the art of transposing an autonomous vascularised tissue, from a donor site to a distant recipient site. It was born 2000 years ago in India, evolving from random flaps to microsurgical flaps with a skeletonised vascular pedicle. This evolution was possible through the knowledge of cutaneous vascularisation and allows today the spreading field of perforator flaps. Writing the story of any particular flap is, in fact, looking back to understand the global concept and evolution of flaps surgery. Therefore the authors detail every step of the development and technical improvement of the thoracodorsal flap from the classical musculocutaneous latissimus dorsi flap to one of its latest achievement, the thoracodorsal perforator flap. This story helps us to appreciate the armamentarium of thin and low donor site morbidity flap that perforator flaps offer to us.