En-bloc excision of sacral squamous cell carcinoma with immediate reconstruction

• Published in: Updates in surgery 2024-06, Vol.76 (3), p.1099-1103
• Main Authors: Felsenreich, Daniel Moritz, Gachabayov, Mahir, Ritter, Edmond, Bergamaschi, Roberto
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - surgery; Humans; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Plastic Surgery Procedures - methods; Sacrum - surgery; Surgery; Surgical Flaps; Technical Note
• ISSN: 2038-131X; 2038-3312; 2038-3312
• DOI: 10.1007/s13304-024-01861-z

Sacral squamous cell carcinoma is an uncommon condition that may arise in scars following burns or in chronic wounds, such as an untreated pilonidal cyst. The aim of the present technical note is to describe a surgical technique aimed at minimizing local recurrence rates by en-bloc resection as well as providing immediate plastic reconstruction: 1. right-sided extended vertical rectus abdominis myo-cutaneous (VRAM) flap; 2. abdomino-perineal excision of the rectum with end colostomy; 3. en-bloc excision of the mass inclusive of gluteus maximus muscles and distal sacrectomy; 4. sacrectomy defect covered with VRAM flap; 5. bilateral gluteal defects covered with single-layer dermal substitute of bovine collagen and elastin hydrolysate followed by immediate split-thickness skin grafting from bilateral thigh donor sites, and negative pressure wound therapy dressings. This approach resulted in a favorable outcome at 2-year follow-up in a male patient presenting with a large locally advanced sacral squamous cell carcinoma involving the external anal sphincter muscle.