Background

The rectus abdominis may be unavailable or insufficient to reconstruct large pelvic exenteration defects. The purpose of this study was to report the authors’ experience with the pedicled anterolateral thigh–vastus lateralis muscle flap for such reconstructions.

Methods

Eighteen patients with pelvic exenteration underwent reconstruction with this flap between 2003 and 2007. When the perineal defect could be closed primarily, the vastus lateralis muscle was tunneled over the inguinal ligament into the pelvis (inguinal route). For concomitant perineal-vaginal reconstruction, the anterolateral thigh–vastus lateralis muscle was tunneled over the medial thigh to the defect (perineal route).

Results