ABSTRACT

Reconstructive procedures are sometimes necessary in patients with gynecologic malignancies, including for both external soft tissue wounds as well as intra-pelvic defects. These types of procedures may be indicated not only to achieve wound closure, but also to facilitate progression to adjuvant therapies in a timely fashion, and to restore form and function. Traditional methods (skin grafts, local skin flaps, rectus abdominis and gracilis muscle/myocutaneous flaps) are effective in reconstructing a wide variety of defects. However, there are situations where these commonly used methods of reconstruction can be inadequate, impractical, or unavailable. In these cases, the ability to appropriately select and perform alternative techniques of reconstruction is essential.