Urethral reconstruction using a prefabricated pedicled gracilis flap
Curtis Crane1, Agustin Cornejo, Robert Lyons
1Department of Plastic Surgery, 7703 Floyd Curl Dr, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA. cnd51924@yahoo.com
Annals of Plastic Surgery
|July 14, 2012
Summary
A patient suffered urethral injury during Fournier gangrene debridement. Reconstruction utilized a prefabricated pedicled gracilis flap due to extensive tissue loss, restoring urethral continuity.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Reconstructive Surgery
Background:
- Fournier gangrene requires extensive debridement, potentially causing severe damage to adjacent structures.
- Iatrogenic urethral injury is a known complication of surgical interventions in the perineal region.
Observation:
- A patient undergoing debridement for Fournier gangrene sustained an iatrogenic urethral injury.
- The debridement resulted in the resection of all penile and scrotal dartos tissue, precluding standard local flap reconstruction.
Findings:
- A prefabricated pedicled gracilis flap was successfully employed for urethral reconstruction.
- This technique restored urethral continuity in a complex case with significant tissue loss.
Implications:
- The use of a prefabricated pedicled gracilis flap offers a viable solution for urethral reconstruction in cases of extensive tissue loss following Fournier gangrene debridement.
- This case highlights the adaptability of reconstructive techniques to overcome challenging surgical defects.
