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Updated: Apr 11, 2026
An Experimental Human DIEP Flap Model to Investigate Preservation Strategies for Vascularized Composite Allografts and Free Flaps
Published on: December 5, 2025
Vulvar Reconstruction by Perforator Flaps: Algorithm for Flap Choice Based on the Topography of the Defect
Luca Negosanti1, Rossella Sgarzani, Erich Fabbri
1*Plastic Surgery Department, and †Oncologic Gynecology Department, S.Orsola-Malpighi University Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
Objective:
Many techniques have been proposed to reconstruct acquired vulvar defects. In our experience, every type of vulvar defect can be repaired with 2 pedicled flaps, namely, the pedicle deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap and the lotus petal flap (LPF).
Materials And Methods:
We report our reconstructive algorithm for vulvar reconstruction, based on the topography of the defect, applied in 22 consecutive patients from 2000 to 2012. According to the proposed algorithm, DIEP flap and LPF (monolateral or bilateral type) can repair all kinds of wide vulvar defects. Surgical defects were classified as type I (IA and IB) and type II in relation to the anatomy of the defect.
Results:
No major complications were reported in our series. All patients reported satisfactory results, both functionally and aesthetically.
Conclusions:
We propose an easy classification of acquired vulvar defects separating the ones consequent only to the vulvar resection, with preservation of vagina (type I), by the wider defects after vaginal and vulvar resection (type II); type I can be subclassified into defects consequent to half-vulvar resection (type IA) or to total vulvar resection (type IB). Type I defects (IA and IB) can be reconstructed with monolateral or bilateral LPF; in type II resections, we have a great wound that required more tissue to fill the pelvic dead space, so we prefer pedicle DIEP flap.
