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Case Reports
. 2023 Jun 19;11(6):e5077.
doi: 10.1097/GOX.0000000000005077. eCollection 2023 Jun.

Vertical Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flap for Reconstruction of Forequarter Amputation Defect after Shoulder Soft Tissue Sarcoma Resection: Technical Consideration

Muhammad Wahyudi  1 , Oryza Satria  1 , Dina Aprilya  1 , Ira Nong  2
Affiliations
Case Reports

Vertical Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flap for Reconstruction of Forequarter Amputation Defect after Shoulder Soft Tissue Sarcoma Resection: Technical Consideration

Muhammad Wahyudi et al. Plast Reconstr Surg Glob Open. .

Abstract

Forequarter amputations in advanced local malignancy or trauma cases often leave a large defect that is challenging to reconstruct. Options for defect closure are varied. A vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flap could be an alternative to close a significantly large defect, which is relatively easier than the more technically demanding free flap. This case presents a 64-year-old man with a soft tissue sarcoma in the left shoulder that was treated by forequarter amputation and subsequent defect closure using a VRAM flap. The VRAM flap was initially used to reconstruct the chest and abdominal walls. There have been no reported uses for the shoulder defect. The repair site defect was viable even with a less aesthetic donor site, and all of the defects were closed without any signs of infection. The VRAM flap is a good option for a large defect closure at the shoulder region, particularly after forequarter amputation.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no financial interest to declare in relation to the content of this article. Disclosure statements are at the end of this article, following the correspondence information.

Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Preoperative clinical picture of the patient.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Intraoperative condition after tumor resection. A, Defect on the left shoulder. B, VRAM flap design.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Postoperative clinical examination of the patient.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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