Vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap for vaginal reconstruction after radical pelvic surgery for Stage II vaginal carcinoma

Primary carcinomas of the vagina are uncommon, occurring only 2-3% of all gynecological malignancies. In women with early stage of disease, primary surgery, consisting of radical vaginectomy (plus hysterectomy in patients with tumors involving the upper vagina) and systematic dissection of lymphatic drainage of tumor, is a valid option. In these patients, a rectus abdominis myocutaneous (RAM) flap may be favorably used for vaginal reconstruction during radical pelvic surgery. Here we describe a case of Stage II vaginal carcinoma treated with radical pelvic surgery and vertical-RAM (V-RAM) flap reconstruction.