Article Text
Abstract
Introduction/Background Vulvar cancer surgery often causes wide soft tissue defects and poor wound healing. Surgical reconstruction with skin flaps is recommended but has thus far not been widely used in Estonia. Goals for reconstruction are tension free skin closure to improve the cosmetic and functional outcome of the surgery and improve the quality of life for the patient. The aim of this abstract is to describe the use of V-Y advancement flaps after vulvar surgery as a simple method with few complications and to encourage their routine use in even hospitals where patient load is small.
Methodology Data was gathered from all vulvar cancer patients who underwent partial vulvectomy in West-Tallinn Central Hospital From November 2022 to May 2023.
Results From November 2022 to May 2023 five patients underwent partial vulvectomy with V-Y fasciocutaneous advancement flap reconstruction. Mean age of the patients was 77. Minor wound separation occurred in 1 patient. There were no instances of skin flap necrosis or wound dehiscence. None of the patients required repeated hospitalisations due to poor wound healing or infections.
Conclusion The use of V-Y plasty is a simple and safe procedure that should be preferred to primary closure after vulvar surgery to improve wound healing and functional outcome for the patient.
Disclosures The author declares that they have no conflicts of interest and nothing to disclose.