Ann Plast Reconstr Surg | Volume 2, Issue 3 | Case Report | Open Access

Complex Reconstructive Surgery Following Excision of Multiple Stage IV Pressure Ulcers, and Hip Joint Heterotopic Ossification in the Spinal Cord Injury Patient

Farias-Eisner G¹ and Rubayi S^2*

¹Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University of California Los Angeles, USA
²Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Southern California, USA

^*Correspondance to: Salah Rubayi 

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Abstract

The effects of gunshot wound injuries often extend far beyond the immediate trauma resulting in lifelong physical, emotional, and social consequences. Gunshot wounds are the third leading cause of Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) in the United States. This patient population is at high risk for the development of pressure ulcers due to lack of sensation, loss of motor function, and bowel and/or bladder dysfunction. The surgical treatment of pressure ulcers in patients with spinal cord injuries is an extremely complicated and challenging problem. These patients may suffer from Heterotopic Ossification (HO) of the hip, which further exacerbates the pressure ulcer resulting in pelvic obliquity. When a pressure ulcer has recurred, and a patient has already undergone multiple reconstructive flap procedures, options for wound coverage become limited. We describe a case of a single patient with multiple end-stage pressure ulcers who suffers from severe Heterotopic Ossification (HO) of the bilateral hips, in which excision of heterotopic ossification is treated with proximal femoral osteotomy and flap reconstruction.

Keywords:

Spinal cord injury; Heterotopic ossification; Ulcers

Citation:

Farias-Eisner G, Rubayi S. Complex Reconstructive Surgery Following Excision of Multiple Stage IV Pressure Ulcers, and Hip Joint Heterotopic Ossification in the Spinal Cord Injury Patient. Ann Plast Reconstr Surg. 2018;2(3):1018.