Regional flap: A reliable coverage for post-radiation ulcer

Ulcer in radiation-damaged tissue is a dilemma with limited treatment strategies. The study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of regional flaps for patients with post-radiation ulcers through a 10-year experience. A retrospective study of consecutive patients with post-radiation ulcers at a single institute from 2012 to 2022 was conducted. Reconstruction included complete excision of irradiated tissue and coverage with well-vascularised tissue, including local flaps, regional flaps and free flaps. Study outcomes included complications, reoperation rates, overall flap success and recurrence rates. Thirteen patients (six males and seven females; mean age, 56.85 ± 13.87 years) with a mean 10-month history of post-radiation ulcers were enrolled. Ulcers are predominantly located in the chest (n = 3, 23.1%), head (n = 2, 15.4%) and neck (n = 2, 15.4%), with a mean size of 33.1 cm² (range from 1 cm² to 120 cm² ). Eleven patients underwent reconstruction with 15 regional flaps and three local flaps, one patient received a free anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous flap and one patient underwent amputation. Among these 15 regional flaps, one (6.7%) had wound dehiscence and four (26.7%) had localised necrosis requiring reoperation. In addition, one patient with a non-healing sinus tract underwent reoperation. The overall success rate of the regional flap was 100% and no recurrence was observed with a mean follow-up of 23.3 months. Regional flaps seem a safe and effective reconstructive method for post-radiation ulcers.