The 'reading man flap' for pressure sore reconstruction

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Wound Management
• Reconstructive Surgery

Background:

• Pressure sores present a significant challenge in healthcare, often requiring surgical intervention for soft tissue defects.
• Myocutaneous and fasciocutaneous flaps are established methods for providing stable coverage of pressure sores.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of the "Reading Man" flap for reconstructing sacral, ischial, and trochanteric pressure sores.
• To document the surgical experience with this specific fasciocutaneous flap in pressure sore management.

Main Methods:

• The "Reading Man" flap was utilized in 16 patients (11 male, 5 female) aged 24-78 years over a 1-year period.
• The flap was applied to sacral (8), ischial (5), and trochanteric (3) pressure sores, with a mean size of 8 cm x 9 cm.

Main Results:

• All pressure sores treated with the "Reading Man" flap achieved asymptomatic healing.
• Follow-up ranging from 2 to 8 months showed no evidence of recurrence or need for further surgical procedures.

Conclusions:

• The "Reading Man" flap is an effective technique for closing pressure sores across various anatomical locations.
• Key advantages include tension-free closure and minimal excision of healthy skin, making it a valuable reconstructive tool.