Anterolateral thigh vastus lateralis myocutaneous flap for vulvar reconstruction after radical vulvectomy: A preliminary experience

Background. There are many myocutaneous flap methods which have been report ed for the immediate reconstruction of large vulvar defects created by defo rming radical cancer surgery in the female perineum except for the anterola teral thigh vastus laterals myocutaneous flap. The present report describes our preliminary experience with the use of this flap in a patient who unde rwent radical vulvectomy for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of th e vulva. Case. A 75-year-old woman underwent radical vulvectomy with bilateral ingui nal lymphadenectomy due to right vulvar squamous cell carcinoma. The large vulvar defect was immediately reconstructed by using anterolateral thigh va stus lateralis myocutaneous flap. The postoperative course was uneventful. In addition to the expected primary healing, the neovulva had a relatively normal appearance with satisfactory sensation and function and the donor de fect was found to be minimal both functionally and aesthetically. Conclusion. This technique can be used as an alternative method for vulvar reconstruction after radical vulvectomy. Further studies are warranted to p rove the efficacy of this myocutaneous flap in reconstructing large vulvar defects. (C) 2000 Academic Press.