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Reliable transfer of multiple perforator‐based pedicled flaps: Surgical technique and clinical outcomes
Author(s) -
Kwon Jae Hyun,
Lee KyeongTae,
Lim So Young,
Pyon JaiKyung,
Bang SaIk,
Oh Kap Sung,
Mun GooHyun
Publication year - 2017
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.22427
Subject(s) - medicine , perforator flaps , thoracodorsal artery , surgery , dissection (medical) , circumflex , trunk , microsurgery , anastomosis , artery , free flap , ecology , biology
Purpose Although an increase in flap perfusion by incorporating multiple perforators has been demonstrated with free perforator flaps, whether the same efficacy can be achieved with pedicled flaps remains unclear, due to concerns regarding pedicle tension or kinking during flap transposition. The aim of this report was to investigate the reliability of multiple perforator‐based pedicled flaps in a series of clinical cases. Patients and Methods Twenty‐six patients undergoing soft tissue reconstruction using multiple perforator‐based pedicled flaps from 2008 to 2012 were reviewed. The causes of the defects were oncologic ( n = 15) or chronic wounds ( n = 11). The defect sites were the trunk ( n = 19), lower extremities ( n = 4), head and neck ( n = 2), and upper extremities ( n = 1). Diverse flap types were used, including the superior gluteal artery perforator flap, the lateral femoral circumflex artery perforator flap, the medial femoral circumflex artery perforator flap, and the thoracodorsal artery perforator flap. The flaps were transposed in a rotation‐and‐advancement manner after skeletonizing each perforator and proximally dissecting the pedicle. The donor site was closed primarily. Results Mean flap size was 125.2 cm 2 , and the mean number of perforators used was 2.3 (2–5). The mean angle of pivotal rotation for flap transposition was 132.8°. No rotation‐related problems including pedicle kinking or twisting developed, and all flaps survived completely. No significant donor‐site morbidity was observed. The mean follow‐up period was 38.1 months. Conclusions This report suggests that through meticulous dissection of pedicles of sufficient length, the multiple perforator‐based pedicled flaps can be successfully transposed while minimizing the risk of pedicle tethering. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 37:105–111, 2017.