Unusual localisation of pressure ulcer--the vulva

Only a few papers have been published about unusual localisations of pressure ulcer. To date, no papers were published presenting pressure ulcer on external genitals in women. The paper presents the mechanism of origin of vulval pressure ulcer, surgical treatment (excision of lesion tissue of the pressure ulcer) and reconstruction of the vulva. The patient, aged 50, has been paraplegic for 20 years. During the last 3 years she has had a wound which was spreading in the region of the vulva. The pressure ulcer was surgically removed, external female genitals were reconstructed using advancement skin flap and the function and natural appearance of organs were re-established. The presence of all three aetiological factors for the formation of pressure ulcer - presence of prolonged pressure, swelling and infection - were proven in the described patient. For this reason, we are able to claim that this was in fact a pressure ulcer of the vulva. Reconstruction was simple without any complications and donor-site morbidity.