Objective:
Sacrectomy creates a large, complex tissue defect that presents a reconstructive challenge for plastic surgeons. Several myocutaneous flaps have been described for reconstruction following sacral tumor extirpation; however, current publications focus on the reconstructive options applicable to adults. We present a method of reconstruction following sacral tumor extirpation in a pediatric patient.
Methods:
The patient was 22 months old and in need of complex closure following low sacral amputation (S3-S4 osteotomy) and en bloc resection of a yolk sac tumor. Following tumor extirpation, the patient was left with a complex defect including extensive dead space, multiple exposed nerve roots, projection of the rectum into the wound, and inadequate soft tissue for primary closure.
Results:
Reconstruction with human acellular dermal matrix to address the risk of posterior rectal herniation and bilateral gluteal V to Y advancement flaps for obliteration of the dead space allowed for durable closure of the surgical defect.
Conclusions:
This represents the first case report documenting sacral resection and reconstruction with bilateral V to Y gluteal advancement flaps in a pediatric patient.