V-Y fasciocutaneous pudendal thigh flap for repair of perineum and genital region after necrotizing fascitis: Modification and new indication

Necrotizing fasciitis is an aggressive, deep-seated infection of the fascia and subcutaneous fat with necrosis of the overlying skin, and it is a toxin-mediated disease. The aim of this study was to review 13 cases of necrotizing fasciitis of the perineum and the external genitalia region with regard to the diagnosis, treatment, and methods of reconstruction of secondary defects. The study was performed from June 1997 to May 2001 and involved 11 men and 2 women who ranged in age from 35 to 67 years (mean age, 53 years). All patients presented to the plastic surgery unit with huge secondary defects of the urogenital region, upper thigh, and lower abdomen after being excised initially by general surgeons. Eight patients were treated with bilateral flaps, and the unilateral flap was used in 2 patients. The V-Y island fasciocutaneous flap, used to resurface the urogenital region after necrotizing fasciitis, is considered a new indication. The V-Y axial-pattern design of the flap is also considered a new modification, which enabled the flap to be advanced and tailored nicely in the midline. The idea of using the V-Y-plasty design is raised because the perineum has a pair of symmetrical anatomic structures. In addition, this procedure conserves tissue and the flap donor site is closed primarily without tension. Both aesthetic and functional results were satisfactory.