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Fibula free flap phalloplasty: Modifications and recommendations
Author(s) -
Hage J. Joris,
Winters Henri A. H.,
Van Lieshout Jesse
Publication year - 1996
Publication title -
microsurgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.031
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1098-2752
pISSN - 0738-1085
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1098-2752(1996)17:7<358::aid-micr3>3.0.co;2-c
Subject(s) - medicine , phalloplasty , free flap , fibula , surgery , microsurgery , penis , tibia
Radial forearm flap phalloplasty should be regarded as the gold standard. The large forearm donor site scar, however, has led to the search for other donor areas. We present our modifications and recommendations for addressing the ideal goals of phalloplasty better when applying the fibula free flap. We recommend preconstruction and secondary anastomosis of the neo‐urethra. Preoperative infiltration of the cutaneous nerve is recommended for planning of the sensate flap. The osseous part of the flap should be long enough to be fixed to the tunica albuginea. We recommend a longitudinal, rather than a transverse, design for the flap. For aesthetic reasons, the flap should include two triangular tongues. Even so, secondary surgery will be needed. The patient may be left with functional loss in the donor region. A case report illustrates all of these points. We conclude that the sensate fibula free flap has a place in phalloplasty in case the patient refuses a forearm scar. © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. MICROSURGERY 17:358–365 1996