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 reported for the immediate reconstruction of large vulvar defects created by deforming radical cancer surgery in the female perineum except for the anterolateral thigh vastus lateralis myocutaneous flap. The present report describes our preliminary experience with the use of this flap in a patient who underwent radical vulvectomy for locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the vulva. Case. A 75-year-old woman underwent radical vulvectomy with bilateral inguinal lymphadenectomy due to right vulvar squamous cell carcinoma. The large vulvar defect was immediately reconstructed by using anterolateral thigh vastus 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 defect 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 prove the efficacy of this myocutaneous flap in reconstructing large vulvar defects. (C) 2000 Academic Press.