Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 13, 2026
The Transition to an Anterior-Based Muscle Sparing Approach Improves Early Postoperative Function but is Associated with a Learning Curve
Published on: September 7, 2022
[Surgical treatment of groin soft tissue defects]
H Fansa1, I C Warnecke, S Brüner
1Klinik für Plastische, Wiederherstellungs- und Asthetische Chirurgie--Handchirurgie, Städtische Kliniken Bielefeld-Mitte, Bielefeld. hisham.fansa@sk-bielefeld.de
Background:
Treatment of groin defects remains challenging due to their location and origin. Such defects commonly result from resection of tumours but can also occur after surgical or medical therapy.
Material And Methods:
From 2003 to 2005, 11 patients were treated with groin defects following radiation therapy and resection of lymph node metastasis, primary carcinoma, and sarcoma. Seven patients received wound closure with rectus femoris muscle flaps, and three had vertical rectus abdominis muscle flaps. One patient was amputated at the hip, and the defect was covered with dorsally pedicled muscle and skin flaps.
Results:
All flaps healed primarily. There were no secondary infections or lymphorrhea.
Conclusion:
The flaps described here are well vascularised standard flaps which are easily harvested with no major donor site morbidity. They provide sufficient coverage for the groin, reduce long-term conservative treatment, hospitalisation, and problems such as scar contracture.