# Reconstruction of Stage IV Pressure Ulcers Using Delayed Flaps in a Pediatric Patient With Spinal Cord Injury: A Case Report

## TL;DR

A seven-year-old child with spinal cord injury successfully had stage IV pressure ulcers reconstructed using a delayed flap to preserve muscle function.

## Contribution

Demonstrates the effectiveness of delayed fasciocutaneous flaps in pediatric spinal cord injury patients for pressure ulcer reconstruction.

## Key findings

- Delayed fasciocutaneous flap based on SIEA/SIEV successfully reconstructed a large stage IV pressure ulcer.
- The flap preserved core muscle function, which is critical in pediatric spinal cord injury patients.
- This case highlights an alternative to traditional musculocutaneous flaps for minimizing functional loss.

## Abstract

Reconstructing pressure ulcers (PUs) in pediatric patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) requires careful surgical planning to minimize functional loss. This case report presents a seven-year-old female patient with a complete T3 SCI and paraplegia who developed large stage IV PUs over the bilateral anterolateral hips. Reconstruction of the right hip was successfully performed using a delayed fasciocutaneous flap based on the superficial inferior epigastric artery/vein (SIEA/SIEV), which was selected as an alternative to a traditional musculocutaneous flap to minimize core muscle function loss for the patient. The positive outcome of the present case demonstrates the potential of delayed flaps for reconstructing large wounds while preserving muscle function in pediatric patients with SCI.