Futility of muscle flaps for self-inflicted wounds

Unacceptable forms of self-mutilation usually are resistant to surgical intervention and have a basis in psychopathology. Establishing this diagnosis may be as difficult as is the treatment, frequently involving a prolonged process of exclusion of other known disease entities. Management of these chronic self-inflicted wounds demands flexibility by the surgeon who must be aware of this possibility and willing to deviate from the normal approach to wound healing. Simplicity is of paramount importance. The use of vascularized tissues and, in particular, the sacrifice of scarce muscle flaps probably is unwarranted except as a last resort because these wounds nevertheless remain recalcitrant to permanent healing. Instead, a nonconfrontational approach with long-term psychotherapy should be a major part of the initial therapy with surgery considered only important in an adjunctive role.