CC BY-NC 4.0 · Arch Plast Surg 2021; 48(03): 254-260
DOI: 10.5999/aps.2020.01746
Breast/Trunk
Original Article

Myelomeningocele defect reconstruction with keystone flaps: vascular rationale for the design and operative technique

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hospital General de México (Mexico’s General Hospital), Mexico City, Mexico
,
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hospital Infantil de México (Mexico’s Children’s Hospital), Mexico City, Mexico
› Author Affiliations

Background Myelomeningocele is a frequently seen condition at tertiary care hospitals. Its treatment involves a variety of plastic reconstructive techniques. Herein, we present a series of myelomeningocele patients treated using keystone flaps.

Methods We gathered information regarding soft tissue reconstruction and the use of bilateral keystone flaps to treat myelomeningocele patients. We obtained data from clinical records and recorded the demographic characteristics of mothers and children with the condition. The size, level of defect, and complications detected during the follow-up were analyzed.

Results A series of seven patients who underwent bilateral keystone flaps for myelomeningocele closure was analyzed. There were no cases of midline or major dehiscence, flap loss, necrosis, surgical site infections, or cerebrospinal fluid leakage. No revision procedures were performed. Minor complications included one case with minimal seroma and three cases with areas of peripheral dehiscence that healed easily using conventional measures.

Conclusions The use of keystone flaps is an adequate option for closure of dorsal midline soft tissue defects related to myelomeningocele. This technique offers predictable results with an acceptable spectrum of complications. Robust blood flow can be predicted based upon anatomical knowledge.



Publication History

Received: 22 August 2020

Accepted: 24 February 2021

Article published online:
21 March 2022

© 2021. The Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial License, permitting unrestricted noncommercial use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is given appropriate credit. Contents may not be used for commercial purposes. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/)

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