Modified vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap vaginal reconstruction: an analysis of surgical outcomes

To examine the early and late flap related morbidity and associated risk factors in patients with modified vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) flap neovaginal reconstruction at the time of pelvic exenteration for gynecologic malignancy.

From January 1993 to January 2011, all patients were identified who underwent anterior, posterior, or total pelvic exenteration with VRAM flap neovaginal reconstruction. Patient records were systematically reviewed and demographic, clinicopathologic, operative details, flap related complications, and risk factors for wound healing were recorded and statistical analysis performed.

46 patients were identified who underwent exenteration with VRAM flap vaginal reconstruction. A risk factor for poor healing including obesity, diabetes, smoking, prior radiation, previous abdominal surgery, or poor nutritional status was present in 38 (82.6%) patients, and 24 (52.2%) had two or more risk factors. Flap complications occurred in 9 (19.6%) patients, one with complete flap necrosis that required re-operation, two with superficial flap necrosis, and three with superficial flap separation. Three patients (6.5%) suffered from vaginal stenosis, one of which was complete. Anterior abdominal wound separation occurred in 22 (47.8%) patients and pelvic abscess occurred in 14 (30.4%) patients. No individual risk factor was significantly associated with VRAM flap related morbidity; however obesity, prior radiation, and prior abdominal incision were present in nearly all the patients with flap complications.

This series confirms that modified VRAM flaps can be used successfully at the time of exenteration, even in an increasingly high risk patient population with an acceptable risk for flap complications.