Delayed vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap for anterior chest wall reconstruction

Abstract

Background: Not only is a radiation ulcer nonviable itself, but the surrounding irradiated tissue also shows poor healing. Therefore, healing in an irradiated field cannot be expected if a flap used for reconstruction fails even partially. For repair of radiation ulcers, a flap with a stable blood supply is required. A superiorly based vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flap is commonly used for chest wall reconstruction. Because the VRAM flap is nourished only by the superior epigastric vessels, the blood supply to the distal part of the flap often is precarious.

Case report: A case is reported in which a delayed VRAM flap was used successfully to treat a radiation ulcer on the anterior chest wall.

Results: Consecutive angiograms showed that the delay procedure augmented the blood supply to the VRAM flap. The flap showed complete take without any postoperative complications.

Conclusions: A delay procedure may make the VRAM flap more reliable for anterior chest wall reconstruction. This flap may be a valuable option for reconstruction of intractable ulcers such as radiation ulcers, and may be applicable for breast reconstruction after radiation therapy.