[Plastic reconstructive procedures of vulvar carcinoma: results and complications]

This study describes the results of the plastic reconstructive measures in 207 patients with a primary or a recurrent vulvar cancer. These procedures were analysed in sight of surgical excision, previous therapy, and detailed postoperative results.

All procedures and clinical parameters were recorded standardized in a data bank and analysed using statistical methods.

In 123 local (cutaneous or fasciocutaneous) and 84 regional (myocutaneous) flaps we found a primary healing in about 2/3 of the cases. Local flaps exhibited secondary healing in 31 %, regional flaps in 20 %. This often involved the donor sites and generally did not present any permanent problems. Pronounced healing disturbances (necrosis of more than 10 %) was not achieved in local flaps, in regional flaps it aroused in 5.9 %. Gluteal femoral flaps were used most frequently and showing the best results of all myocutaneous flaps. They were comparable with the local reconstructions by a high degree of reliability and healing. In 15 cases a tissue-loss was observed. In these patients, elevated risk factors, certain oncological characteristics and technical problems could be demonstrated.

Plastic surgery enlarges the spectrum of operative therapy of vulvar cancer, especially in extensive or recurrent tumors, leading to a favourable oncological outcome and good cosmetic results. Severe healing disturbances are rare and can be controlled.