The total thigh flap in reconstructive surgery

Plastic surgeons have sometimes to face large pelvic tissue defects, particularly in paraplegic patients with recurrent pressure sores. This is frequently a reconstructive challenge and different locoregional. flaps may be useful to manage those wounds when medical solutions were unsuccessful. However, in cases when other reconstructive options have been exhausted the total thigh flap represents the last acceptable solution to cover the defects by providing a large volume of healthy tissue. We remind here the operative technique and its interest in reconstructive surgery by reporting our experience in two patients for which this flap was successfully used. (C) 2006 Elsevier Masson SAS. Tous droits reserves.