Reconstruction of the perineum

Defects of the perineal area commonly occur following ablative procedures f or gynecological, urological, and colorectal malignancies. A coordinated ap proach between the surgical oncologist and the reconstructive surgeon is ne cessary in order to achieve appropriate results in these patients. Consider ation of both form and function is essential and must be planned for. A var iety of reconstructive procedures, including skin grafts, local skin flaps, various myocutaneous and fasciocutaneous flaps and, in rare situations, fr ee tissue transfers, are used in the closure of these wounds. An algorithm for the selection of these various procedures is presented so that uncompli cated wound healing can be achieved and functional results can be optimized . Semin. Surg. Oncol. 19:282-293, 2000. (C) 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.