Experience with flap repair after vulvar carcinoma resection: a retrospective observational study of 26 cases

BACKGROUND: A defect caused by the radical resection of vulvar cancer requires repair with flap transplantation or vulvoplasty. However, in clinical practice, the surgeons encounter difficulties while using a flap to repair the wound. Therefore, this study aimed to present a review of our practice of post-surgical defect reconstruction in cases using different skin flaps. METHODS: An observational study was performed involving 26 patients with vulvar cancer who were admitted to Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital between February 2015 and February 2020 for surgical and reconstructive procedures. The clinical data of these 26 patients were analyzed. All patients underwent radical resection of vulvar cancer, followed by post-surgical defect repair using random flap or axial flap transplantation (even for very complex defects). The clinical variables collected and the assessment of efficacy included survival of the flap, history of dysfunction of the recipient area, such as scar contracture, and satisfaction of the patient with the shape after external vaginal surgery. RESULTS: Among the 26 cases in this study, all patients underwent 38 soft tissue reconstruction procedures for vulvar perineal defects during the study period. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most commonly diagnosed cancer (80.8%). The average size of the defect was 9.3×7 cm2. Rhomboid flaps were the most commonly used flaps for performing reconstruction in both the primary and recurrent groups. Poor wound healing was the most commonly discovered complication, which occurred in three of the 38 flaps (7.9%) used. Previous surgery or radiotherapy did not increase the rate of complications following successful reconstruction. CONCLUSIONS: Different skin flaps are effective premium options for post-surgical defect reconstruction, and the selective use of skin flaps for treating vulvar defects preserves the vulvar morphology and allows for relatively better functionality.