ReviewInternational journal of colorectal disease2025
The use of the gracilis flap in colorectal surgery: surgical technique, results, and review of the literature.
Review in International journal of colorectal disease, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed.
- Rectovaginal fistulas after radiation therapy: treatment options and outcomes - a narrative review.Frontiers in oncology · 2026Review
- Complete Resection of a Giant Aggressive Angiomyxoma Using a Rotation Flap: A Case Report.Surgical case reports · 2026Article
- Case Report: Application of combined transplantation of multiple autologous flaps in preventing empty pelvis syndrome after radical surgery for isolated sacrococcygeal recurrence of anal canal squamous.Frontiers in surgery · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThe gracilis flap is rarely used in colorectal surgery and requires a multidisciplinary surgical team including plastic surgeons. There is a paucity of data on the outcome of the gracilis flap when performed by colorectal surgeons.
methodsA retrospective review was performed of all consecutive patients who underwent the gracilis flap at a single institution. Data collected included patient-related characteristics, indications for surgery, postoperative outcomes, and healing rates.
resultsEighteen patients underwent a total of 19 flaps. The median age was 60 years. Thirteen patients (72.2%) had prior radiation therapy. The most common indication for radiation was prostate carcinoma (38.9%) and rectal or anal carcinoma (33.3%). Indications for operation were complex fistulas in 14 patients (77.8%) or wound defect closure in four patients (22.2%). Six out of 14 patients (42.9%) had failed prior fistula repair. All patients had existing stoma or underwent stoma placement at the time of the gracilis flap. Median length of stay was 5 days. Post-operative complications occurred in three patients (16.7%), and the readmission rate was 11%. Flap failure was noted in three patients (16.6%). Both patients with rectourethral fistulas healed after additional intervention. During a median follow-up time of 24 months, 11 out of the 12 temporary stomas were closed, and one was converted to a permanent colostomy.
conclusionsThe gracilis flap can be successfully used for complex pelvic fistulas and perineal wounds. This study demonstrates that a colorectal surgeon with interest and expertise in this technique can perform this operation with excellent outcomes.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.