• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.847-849
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• 2010

Purpose: Traditional radical surgery for vulvar cancer produces severe skin and soft tissue defects in the vulvar and vaginal area. Vulvoperineal V-Y advancement fasciocutaneous flaps have limitations in advancement and tension at the wound margin and vaginal orifice area, causing wound disruption or vaginal wall exposure. Therefore, we designed the "Butterfly flap" using a vulvoperineal V-Y advancement fasciocutaneous flap and an inguinal rotational skin flap for 3-dimensional reconstruction of vagina and vulvar area. Methods: A 27 year-old female was diagnosed with vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia. Radical vulvectomy and full-thickness-skin-graft was performed. We designed a vulvoperineal V-Y advancement fasciocutaneous flap as the greater wing and inguinal rotational skin as the lesser wing. After flap elevation, the inguinal flap was rotated $180^{\circ}$ to reconstruct the labia major and vaginal orifice. The perineum was reconstructed using V-Y advancement flaps. Results: The flap survived completely, without any complications. After 6 months, the patient was able to perform normal sexual activities and after 18 months, the patient was able to give birth to normal child by caesarean section. Conclusion: The traditional vulvoperineal V-Y advancement fasciocutaneous flap is thin, reliable, easily elevated and matches local skin quality. However, the vaginal wall becomes exposed due to limited advancement and tension of the flap. The "Butterfly flap" using a vulvoperineal V-Y advancement fasciocutaneous flap and an inguinal rotational skin flap is useful for the release of vaginal orifice contracture, reconstruction of the labia major, and 3-dimensional reconstruction of vagina and vulvar area.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.37 no.6
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• pp.831-834
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• 2010

Purpose: Congenital absence of the vagina is a rare case. It occurs as a result of Mullerian duct aplasia or complete androgen insensitivity syndrome. The reconstructive modality includes skin graft, use of intestine and various methods of flap. We report a patient who underwent vulvoperineal fasciocutaneous flap to reconstruct congenital absence of the vagina, while the external genitalia and ovaries are normal. Methods: A 26-year-old woman presented with vaginal agenesis. Under general anesthesia, a U-shaped incision was made between the urethral meatus and the anus. The new vaginal pocket was created up to the level of the peritoneal reflection between the urinary structures and the rectum. Next, the vulvoperineal fasciocutaneous flaps were designed in a rectangular fashion. Flap elevation was begun at the lateral margin which the adductor longus fascia was incised and elevated, and the superficial perineal neurovascular pedicle was invested by the fascial layer. The medial border was then elevated. A subcutaneous tunnel was created beneath the inferior of the labia to rotate the flaps. The left vulvoperineal flap was rotated counterclockwise and the right was rotated clockwise. The neovaginal pouch was formed by approximating the medial and lateral borders. The tubed neovagina was then transposed into the cavity. Results: In 3 weeks, the vaginal canal remained supple After 6 weeks, the physical examination showed normalappearing labia majora and perineum with an adequate vaginal depth. A year after the operation, the patient had a 7 cm vagina of sufficient width with no evidence of contractures nor fibrous scar formation. The patient was sexually active without difficulty. Conclusion: Although many methods were described for reconstruction of vaginal absence, there is not a method yet to be approved as a perfect solution. We used the vulvoperineal fasciocutaneous flap to reconstruct a neovagina. This method had a following merits: a single-stage procedure, excellent flap reliability, the potential for normal function, minimal donor site morbidity and no need for subsequent dilatation, stents, or obturators. We thought that this operation has a good anatomic and functional results for reconstruction of the vagina.