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Versatility of rectus abdominis free flap for reconstruction of soft‐tissue defects in extremities
Author(s) -
XingQuan Zhang,
ShaoDong Wang,
QingYu Fan,
BaoAn Ma
Publication year - 2004
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/micr.20007
Subject(s) - medicine , rectus abdominis muscle , surgery , anastomosis , soft tissue , anatomy , abdominal wall , free flap , perforator flaps , microsurgery , abdomen , breast reconstruction , cancer , breast cancer
Rectus abdominis flaps, whose blood supply is mainly provided by superior and deep inferior epigastric vessels, are suitable not only for local transfer but also as free flaps. Based on abundant anastomoses of deep inferior epigastric vessels with other vessels such as superior epigastric vessels, lower intercostal vessels, subcostal vessels, lumbar vessels, superficial epigastric vessels, and superficial and deep iliac circumflex vessels, the rectus abdominis flap may be designed as a vertical flap, transverse flap, or oblique flap. From September 1995–October 2002, 42 free rectus abdominis flaps were transferred to reconstruct a variety of soft‐tissue defects. The size of rectus abdominis flaps ranged from 6–25 cm in length and 5–12 cm in width. The overall success rate was 100% (42 of 42). The donor area was closed directly in 8–10‐cm‐wide flaps, leaving an inconspicuous scar. Larger flaps required skin grafting. After a mean 7‐month (range, 3 weeks–18 months) follow‐up, all flaps have healed uneventfully, and donor abdominal morbidity is minimal. © 2004 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.