Perineal reconstruction following tumor resection is often complicated by irradiated tissue and multiple comorbidities, making reconstruction challenging. Management of these conditions can have complication rates as high as 66 percent, which further compounds the costs and implications of managing these wounds. These complication rates can be significantly decreased using flap closure rather than primary closure. Pressure ulcers also occur in patients with poor overall health, multiple comorbidities, and often numerous prior failed reconstruction attempts. Comprehensive management of pressure sores is a significant burden to the health care system, at a cost of $9.1 to $11.6 billion per year. There exists an extensive body of literature describing the pathophysiology and management strategies for these problems. The focus of this article is to discuss best solutions for perineal and pressure ulcer reconstruction, and to explore alternative options for reconstruction.

Learning Objectives

Jeffrey G. Trost, M.D.; Alejandro Gimenez, M.D.; Kimberly Goldie Staines, M.S.(O.T.); David T. Netscher, M.D.

Plastic and Reconstruction Surgery®Editors: Editor-in-Chief: Rod J. Rohrich, MD

Co-Editor: James M. Stuzin, MD

Section Editors: Donald H. Lalonde, MD; John YS Kim, MD

Accreditation Information

AMA PRA Category 1 Credit^TM: 1.0
Patient Safety Credit: 0.5
Media:Journal Article, video
Release Date: 12/01/2021
Expiration Date: 12/01/2024
Estimated time to complete this course: 1 hour

*Course access ends on course expiration date

Directly provided by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons® (ASPS®)

Accreditation Statement

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.