Perforator Propeller Flap “Relay” for Distal Lower Extremity Soft Tissue Reconstruction

The peroneal artery perforator propeller flap is commonly used for distal lower extremity reconstruction; however, closure of the donor site defect can limit the utility of this flap. To overcome this limitation, we introduced a perforator propeller flap relay technique to reconstruct the donor-site defect. Between July 2015 and February 2019, the propeller flap relay technique was applied in 9 patients. In each case, a peroneal artery perforator propeller flap was transferred to repair a defect in the distal lower leg or the foot. In addition, a neighboring perforator propeller flap was transferred to close the donor-site defect. The peroneal artery perforator propeller flaps ranged from 14 × 4 to 29 × 8 cm² in size. Donor-site closure was accomplished using the relaying propeller flaps based on perforators from the peroneal, medial sural, and lateral sural arteries. Normal contour of the lower leg was preserved with acceptable scars. Additional time for the second flap procedure was less than 1 hour in each case. One peroneal artery perforator flap presented with partial flap necrosis. Other flaps survived completely without complication. Coverage of the donor-site defects of the peroneal artery perforator flaps can be achieved using various perforator propeller flaps. The perforator propeller flap relay technique allows surgeons to harvest a large peroneal artery perforator flap without being limited by significant donor-site morbidity. This technique can reconstruct defects at distal lower extremity with low morbidity and improved overall reconstructive results.     

Reconstruction of soft tissue defects around the Achilles region with distally based extended peroneal artery perforator flap

IntroductionAchilles tendon rupture and soft tissue infections with wound dehiscence and tendon exposure following the tendon repair are not infrequent. Various procedures have been described for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects at the Achilles tendon region, yet there is lack of consensus on the ideal method. In this article we report our experience using the distally based peroneal artery perforator flap in reconstruction of combined defects of the Achilles tendon and overlying soft tissue.Methods7 patients with Achilles tendon injury and full-thickness soft tissue defects over the Achilles region underwent tendon repair and soft tissue reconstruction with the distally based peroneal artery perforator flap. Perforator vessels were identified at the septum between the peroneus longus and soleus muscles. After choosing the perforator with the largest diameter, meticulous deep dissection of the perforator was performed and completed 6 cm proximal to the lateral malleolus. The peroneal artery was transected and ligated and transposition of the flap to the defect was performed through a subcutaneous tunnel.ResultsThe size of the soft tissue defects and flaps ranged between 2×3 cm to 4×10 cm and 4×5 cm to 5×12 cm, respectively. Six out of 7 flaps survived completely without any complications. Post-operative venous congestion was observed in one patient which resulted in partial tip necrosis of the flap. The resulting wound healed with conservative treatment. Donor sites healed uneventfully in all patients. All flaps had excellent contour and provided stable soft tissue coverage.ConclusionDistally based peroneal artery perforator flap can be considered as a reliable alternative for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects around the Achilles tendon region. Advantages include (1) extended reach of the flap for the defects around the plantar and dorsal aspects of the foot, provided by the perforator dissection, (2) convenience with footwear and walking, provided by the skin texture similarity with the target region, (3) creating a protective surface to allow tendon gliding and prevent tissue adhesions after the tendon repair, provided by the crural fascia included in the flap, (4) obviating the need for microsurgical anastomosis and associated length of the operation.     

Metatarsal artery perforator‐based propeller flap

Soft‐tissue defects of the distal foot that involve an exposed tendon and bone demonstrate a reconstructive challenge for plastic surgeons. This report investigates the feasibility and reliability of metatarsal artery perforator (MAP)‐based propeller flap for reconstruction of the distal foot soft‐tissue defects. Between July 2011 and June 2012, six patients underwent distal foot reconstruction with seven MAP‐based propeller flaps. Five flaps were based on the third metatarsal artery and two flaps were based on the first metatarsal artery. The flap size ranged from 4 × 2 cm to 8 × 4 cm. All flaps completely survived. Two patients developed transient distal venous congestion, which subsided spontaneously without complications. There were no donor site complications. All patients were ambulating without difficulty within the first month of surgery. MAP‐based propeller flaps can be used to repair the distal foot soft‐tissue defects, providing sufficient skin territory and excellent esthetic and functional recovery. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 34:287–291, 2014.     

Peroneal artery perforator chimeric flap for reconstruction of composite defects in extremities

Large bone defects of extremities, especially those associated with soft tissue defects, represent difficult reconstructive problems. Chimeric flap is a suitable option for reconstruction of complex bone and soft‐tissue defects. In this report, we present the experience on use of the peroneal artery perforator chimeric flap for the reconstruction of complex bone and soft tissue defects in the extremities in 16 patients. The bone defects were located in the tibia in 8 patients, in both tibia and fibula in 1 patient, in the ulna in 2 patients, in both ulna and radius in 2 patients, and the metatarsal bone in 3 patients. The flap was created with skin paddle and fibula bone segments based on independent perforators. The sizes of flap ranged from 8 × 6 to 20 × 11 cm², and the length of fibular grafts ranged from 6 to 22 cm. All flaps survived completely. Bone union was ultimately obtained in all cases at 5 to 11 months, while two cases suffered from stress fractures in 12 month and 18 month after operation, respectively, which eventually healed with external fixation treatment. The follow‐up time ranged from 12 to 37 months. The definite bone hypertrophy was observed from X‐ray at 18 months after operation. In conclusion, our results show that the peroneal artery perforator chimeric flap is a good option for reconstruction of complex bone and soft‐tissue defects of extremities, particularly for those with three‐dimensional defects and bone defects exceeding 6 cm in length. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2010.     

逆行腓动脉穿支蒂腓浅神经营养血管皮瓣修复足踝软组织缺损

目的评价逆行腓动脉穿支蒂腓浅神经营养血管皮瓣修复足踝软组织缺损的临床效果。方法对25例足踝部软组织缺损的患者采用逆行腓动脉穿支蒂腓浅神经营养血管皮瓣进行修复。其中,以腓动脉终末穿支的升支为蒂19例,以其降支为蒂6例。软组织缺损大小10cm×9cm～4cm×3cm,皮瓣面积11cm×9.5cm～6cm×5cm。结果 23例皮瓣完全存活,另2例皮瓣远端部分坏死,经换药后植皮修复。皮瓣术后轻度肿胀,无瘀血。术后随访6～18个月,皮瓣质地优良,蒂部无臃肿。结论以腓动脉穿支为蒂的腓浅神经营养血管皮瓣血供可靠、质地优良,是修复足、踝软组织缺损的良好选择。     

桥式交叉"T"形血管吻合游离背阔肌皮瓣移植修复小腿软组织缺损

目的 介绍改进桥式交叉游离皮瓣移植的手术方法并总结分析.方法 2003年9月至2007年5月,应用桥式交叉"T"形血管吻合游离背阔肌皮瓣移植方法修复小腿软组织缺损患者6例.男5例,女1例;年龄21～48岁(平均32岁).软组织缺损范围20 cm×9 cm～32 cm×11 cm.皮瓣血管蒂切取时携带肩胛下与旋肩胛血管,使蒂呈"T"形,将其与健侧小腿胫后动脉两断端行端端吻合,血管蒂行中厚网状游离植皮包裹,未用皮管,小腿供区切口直接缝合.结果 1例术后皮瓣远端发生小的表浅感染,换药2周后愈合,皮瓣全部成活,术后经过顺利,获得较满意的效果.随访6个月～4年(平均2.7年),未发现明显的供区功能障碍.供区与皮瓣外形较好,供区小腿经临床观察与多普勒检查证实胫后动脉通畅.结论 利用"T"形血管与胫后血管吻合,降低对侧小腿供区的损伤,只要血管吻合质量好,对皮瓣血供无影响.这种技术特别适用于小腿软组织缺损须行血管吻合的皮瓣修复、但肢体仅有一根主要血管的病例.     

游离胸背动脉穿支皮瓣桥式移植修复小腿软组织缺损

目的总结游离胸背动脉穿支皮瓣或肌瓣桥式移植修复小腿软组织缺损的临床应用效果。方法自2006年9月至2009年1月,应用游离胸背动脉穿支皮瓣或肌瓣桥式移植修复小腿软组织缺损11例,缺损范围4cm×8cm至8cm×22cm。皮瓣切取连带肩胛下与旋肩胛血管,血管蒂呈T形,与健侧小腿胫后动脉行端端吻合,血管蒂用中厚网状游离植皮覆盖。结果除1例术后皮瓣远端发生小的表浅感染,经换药后愈合外,本组皮瓣全部成活。术后随访9个月至3.6年(平均2.9年),没有发现明显的供区功能障碍,供区与受区外形较好,健侧小腿经临床观察与Doppler检查,胫后动脉通畅。结论本方法适用于修复四肢软组织缺损后,患者仅存1条主要动脉者;行桥式游离胸背动脉穿支皮瓣或肌瓣移植不损伤健侧小腿胫后动脉,降低了对供区的损伤。     

游离腓动脉穿支筋膜瓣修复手部皮肤缺损

目的 探讨应用游离腓动脉穿支筋膜瓣修复手部软组织缺损,减少供区损伤的方法和临床效果.方法 2007年12月至2009年10月,对6例手部皮肤缺损患者,应用游离腓动脉肌皮穿支筋膜瓣进行修复,切取面积为5.0 cm×4.5 cm～10.0 cm×7.0 cm,以肌皮穿支为蒂.动脉血管蒂与受区血管采用端侧吻合,受区筋膜瓣行断层植皮覆盖.供区创面直接缝合.结果 术后6例筋膜瓣全部存活;术后7 d,筋膜表面植皮成活大于90%4例,80%2例.随访时间为3～12个月,1例皮瓣臃肿,术后3个月行皮瓣修整术;5例皮瓣略臃肿,外观满意.小腿供区仅留线条瘢痕.结论 腓动脉穿支筋膜瓣是在腓动脉穿支皮瓣基础上的改良,目的 是减少供区创伤,改善小腿外观.筋膜瓣本身可以填充组织缺损,为功能重建提供条件.     

Reconstruction of limb soft-tissue defects: using pedicle perforator flaps with preservation of major vessels, a report of 45 cases

SUMMARY: We report on 45 pedicle perforator flaps without harvesting major vessels in limb reconstruction. Of our patients, 25 had major vessel injury resulting from their initial injury. In the upper extremities, there were 13 posterior interosseous artery perforator flaps, four ulnar artery perforator flaps and three radial artery perforator flaps. In the lower extremities, there were 16 peroneal artery perforator flaps with an axis on the sural nerve, five peroneal artery perforator flaps with an axis on the superficial peroneal nerve and four posterior tibial artery perforator flaps with an axis on the saphenous nerve. There were 42 successes, one total flap loss, one epidermal necrolysis and one distal tip necrosis. Greater utilisation of pedicle perforator flaps probably will occur because they are technically simple to execute, violate only the involved extremity, do not sacrifice a major source vessel, bring similar local tissues into a defect, avoid prolonged immobilisation and do not require microsurgical expertise. The concept of the pedicle perforator flap can be applied to the same axis of a neurocutaneous flap, even in cases with injured cutaneous nerves.     

以腓动脉远端穿支血管供血为蒂的小腿后外侧（复合）组织瓣的临床应用

目的探讨腓动脉穿支供血的小腿后外侧（复合）组织瓣在足踝部软组织缺损、骨感染修复中的临床效果。方法2007年3月至2010年9月,对23例足踝部软组织（跟腱）缺损及骨感染的患者,设计以腓动脉终末穿支为血管蒂,沿腓肠神经营养血管轴线切取皮瓣转位修复小腿下段及足踝部皮肤软组织缺损。采用腓动脉下段穿支供血携带腓肠神经逆行岛状（复合）皮瓣或肌皮瓣进行修复。皮瓣切取范围3cm×5cm～10cm×18cm。结果术后21例皮瓣完全成活,创面一期愈合,2例皮瓣边缘部分坏死,后经过二期扩创游离植皮后痊愈,平均住院时间21d。随访2～9个月,皮瓣质地优良,外观满意,无色素沉着、溃疡,皮瓣感觉恢复约S2,跟腱重建患者踝关节达功能位,恢复了劳动能力。结论以腓动脉远端穿支血管供血为蒂的小腿后外侧（复合）组织瓣血供可靠,变异率低,切取方便,供区隐蔽,可恢复部分感觉,且不牺牲肢体主要血管,是修复小腿中下部、踝关节周围及足部软组织缺损的一种良好方法。尤其对修复足踝部骨外露,骨髓炎,跟腱缺损,复合组织瓣（携带跟腱及肌肉）是一种较好的选择。     

Reconstruction of soft tissue defects of the Achilles tendon with rotation flaps,pedicled propeller flaps and free perforator flaps

Introduction. Soft tissue defects exposing the Achilles tendon are challenging. Local perforator flaps represent a valuable option gaining increasing popularity. Despite preoperative planning an adequate perforator cannot always be found intraoperatively. The free peroneal artery perforator flap can serve as a back‐up option limiting the donor site morbidity to the same extremity without sacrificing major vessels or nerves. Methods. Nine patients with soft tissue defects exposing the Achilles tendon were treated with local perforator flaps, seven were scheduled for 180° propeller flap coverage after Doppler‐ultrasound examination. However, in two patients (22%) no adequate perforators were found intraoperatively. As the perforators for the free peroneal artery perforator flap were routinely mapped out, this flap was harvested for microsurgical reconstruction. Results. One patient with a 180° propeller flap developed a partial flap necrosis, another patient developed superficial epidermolysis, both requiring skingrafting. No complications were seen with free tissue transfer. Conclusion. Pedicled perforator flaps as propeller flaps add options to the armamentarium of microsurgeons. Despite thorough preoperative planning the surgeons must be prepared to perform a different method of reconstruction if inadequate vessels are encountered. To limit additional donor site morbidity, local options are preferred. The free peroneal artery perforator flap represents a good option as it matches the original tissue properties closely. The complication rate of propeller flaps in this series is tolerable. Propeller flaps should therefore be considered an alternative but not as a replacement of local fasciocutaneous flaps. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery 30:608–613, 2010.     

Distally based sural island flap for the reconstruction of a large soft tissue defect in an open tibial fracture with occluded anterior and posterior tibial arteries-a case report.

To repair a 10 x 16 cm soft tissue defect of right lower leg that accompanied with occluded anterior and posterior tibial arteries in a 30-year-old man who sustained comminuted type III(B) Gustilo open tibial and fibular fracture, we present a successful reconstruction by using a large distally based sural island flap perfused by the lowermost perforator of the peroneal artery. This flap is a useful alternative for distal extremity reconstruction when anterior and posterior tibial arteries are occluded, as large flaps can be elevated safely based on only one peroneal perforator.     

游离皮瓣修复下肢缺损时受区血管的选择

目的探讨游离皮瓣修复下肢缺损时受区血管的选择。方法采用游离皮瓣移植修复下肢缺损共29例,其中膝部创面3例,小腿10例,足、踝部15例,膝下至足背严重撕脱1例;背阔肌瓣移植16例,股前外侧瓣8例,肩胛皮瓣4例,腹直肌瓣1例。用作受区的血管有旋股外侧血管(2例)、膝降血管(1例)、胫前血管(11例)、胫后血管(10例)、腓血管(2例)、足背血管(1例)和腓肠肌内、外侧血管(各1例)。结果术后3例发生血管危象,行血管探查后,2例解除危象、移植组织成活,1例失败。23例患者平均随访13(6~24)个月,下肢均恢复行走功能,除3例皮瓣外形臃肿影响穿鞋而二期行皮瓣修薄术外,其余皮瓣外形基本满意。结论下肢受区血管选择对皮瓣游离移植成功修复相当重要,必要时伤肢腓肠肌内、外侧血管或旋股外侧血管、膝降血管可作受区吻合血管。     

Reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the extremities with a pedicled perforator flap: series of 25 patients

Since the introduction of perforator-based flaps, new flaps have been described for reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the extremities. Pedicled perforator flaps, often called propeller flaps, are based on a single perforator and are local axial flaps that can be rotated up to 180(0) with the single perforator as the pivotal point. Pedicle perforator flaps have gained popularity because they have a shorter operating time than free flaps. However, some concern has been raised about their reliability. Here we report our results of 11 soft tissue reconstructions in the lower leg and 14 in the upper extremity. The defects were mostly traumatic or caused by release of burn scars. The mean size of the flaps in the lower leg was 52 cm(2) (range 126-15 cm(2)). In the upper extremity it was 24 cm(2) (range 12-35 cm(2)). All patients were followed until the wound had healed. In the upper extremity there was only one partial necrosis of the flap, and one patient had an infected wound. One haematoma was evacuated postoperatively, and all the rest healed uneventfully. In the lower leg we had one total necrosis and one partial necrosis of the flap and one infected wound. A free scapular flap was used for salvage in one case, and revision and skin grafting in two. The pedicled perforator flap is reliable, particularly in the upper extremity. The operation is quick and can be done under regional anaesthesia. The flap is thin and has a local texture that gives a good functional and aesthetic result. The pedicled perforator flap is a little unpredictable in the lower leg, probably because the directions of the vessels that arise from the perforator are not consistent.     

腓动脉及穿支血管蒂皮瓣逆行转移修复足踝部软组织缺损

目的 探讨应用腓动脉及穿支血管蒂皮瓣逆行转移修复足踝部软组织缺损的手术方法 和临床效果.方法 2007年4月至2008年2月,收治10例足踝部软组织缺损患者.男7例,女3例;年龄8～52岁,平均34.2岁.致伤原因:车祸伤6例,坠落伤2例,慢性溃疡1例,烫伤1例.在患肢小腿外侧区沿腓动脉轴线设计皮瓣,术中游离包含于皮瓣内的1～3支腓动脉穿支,于腓动脉穿支近端结扎切断腓动脉及静脉,向远端游离至外踝尖上约5 cm并以此为旋转点,连同皮瓣向远端逆行转移覆盖足踝软组织缺损区.切取皮瓣范围为10 cm×5 cm～25 cm×15 cm,血管蒂长6～17 cm.结果术后10例皮瓣全部成活.仅1例皮瓣远端局部回流不畅、浅表坏死,经换药及抗感染治疗后愈合.供区均Ⅰ期愈合.全部病例获5～14个月(平均9.5个月)随访,所有患者皮瓣外形及功能满意,行走正常.结论 腓动脉及穿支血管蒂营养皮瓣血管蒂长,蒂部细小易转移而不易受压,血供可靠,切取范围大,皮肤质地良好,用于足踝部皮肤软组织缺损的修复效果满意.     

Propeller flap: Orthoplastic approach for coverage of distal leg and ankle defects

BackgroundCovering soft tissue defects of the distal one-third of the leg and the Achilles tendon region and is a challenging problem for an orthopedic surgeon. With recent advancements in the anatomical knowledge of perforating vessels, perforator-pedicled propeller flaps have become increasingly popular in recent decades. We aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of our patients whose soft tissue defects in the distal leg were reconstructed with propeller flaps and assessed association of complications with age, gender, flap size and arc of rotation.MethodsPatients that had a reconstruction with a propeller flap at the ankle from 2013 to 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. The main indications for the propeller flap were small- and medium-sized soft tissue defects of the distal lower limb. 20 propeller flaps were applied to 19 patients (14 male, 5 female) for various lower extremity defects.ResultsThe mean follow-up duration was 2 years (range, 6 months to 6 years). The average flap size was 82 cm² (range, 48–125 cm²). The flap was rotated 180 degrees in nine patients The source of the perforator vessel was the tibialis posterior artery in 14 cases, the peroneal artery in 4 cases, both the tibialis posterior and peroneal arteries in 1 case. Four complications (20 %) occured postoperatively. Two patients developed partial necrosis at the tip of the flap, and two patients developed superficial epidermolysis. No correlations were found between complications and flap size and the arc of rotation.ConclusionsThe propeller flap is a reliable option for reconstruction of small to moderate defects in the lower extremity with good clinical results and minimal donor-site morbidity. It is applicable for orthopedic surgeons who do not have microsurgical experience or an available microscope in the operating room.     

腓动脉穿支蒂腓肠神经营养血管长轴皮瓣的应用解剖及其临床应用

目的 报道吻合血管的腓动脉穿支蒂腓肠神经营养血管长轴皮瓣的应用解剖及其临床应用效果.方法 10侧下肢标本采用有色乳胶经腘动脉灌注,解剖观测腓动脉穿支血管的分布、走行及管径,寻找适合用于吻合血管的穿支血管.2007年4月至2010年1月,采用吻合血管的腓动脉穿支蒂腓神经营养血管长轴皮瓣游离移植修复前臂及手部大面积软组织缺损6例.缺损范围15 cm × 6 cm～45cm×10 cm.皮瓣面积为16 cm×8 cm～30 cm×10 cm,血管蒂长4～6 cm.结果 腓动脉沿途平均发出5.3支穿支血管,在腓骨中下1/3交界处存在恒定的适合用于吻合血管的穿支血管,血管外径为(1.21±0.13)mm,血管蒂长(4.6±0.8)cm.6例皮瓣完全存活,随访3～12个月,皮瓣质地优良,外形与功能恢复满意.结论 以腓动脉穿支为蒂的腓肠神经营养血管长轴皮瓣切取范围大,穿支血管蒂长,管径适中,血供可靠,对小腿功能影响小,是临床修复前臂及手部大面积软组织缺损的良好选择.     

趾腓侧皮瓣与腓动脉穿支皮瓣修复手部缺损疗效比较

目的：探讨游离趾腓侧皮瓣与腓动脉穿支皮瓣修复手部皮肤软组织缺损的设计切取方法及临床疗效。方法2009年2月—2013年1月,对46例手部不同部位、形态的皮肤软组织缺损,分别采用游离趾腓侧皮瓣修复25例,游离腓动脉穿支皮瓣修复21例,皮肤缺损范围为1.5 cm＆#215;2.5 cm～3.0 cm＆#215;6.5 cm,根据受区皮肤软组织缺损大小、形状设计和切取皮瓣。结果本组46例皮瓣全部成活,1例出现静脉危象,经小切口放血后危象解除,皮瓣成活。术后随访6～12个月,手部整体外观、功能恢复良好,皮瓣感觉部分恢复,供区无并发症。结论应用游离趾腓侧皮瓣或腓动脉穿支皮瓣修复手部皮肤软组织缺损,可恢复手部良好的外观与功能。趾腓侧皮瓣皮肤质地、外观更接近正常手部掌侧皮肤;腓动脉穿支皮瓣可根据手部创面大小灵活切取,二者均可作为理想的游离皮瓣修复手部皮肤软组织缺损。     

游离腓浅动脉单一穿支皮瓣移植修复前足中小皮肤软组织缺损

目的 探讨游离腓浅动脉穿支皮瓣修复前足皮肤软组织缺损的临床疗效.方法 13例前足严重创伤患者,急诊给予骨折内固定、血管神经肌腱修复、皮肤回植及封闭式负压引流（VSD）等处理,7～10d后,待组织坏死界限清晰后,进行腓浅动脉单一穿支皮瓣游离移植术,皮瓣切取面积为3.0cm×5.0cm～6.0cm×10.0cm,供区全厚皮打包加压包扎.结果 12例皮瓣全部成活,1例术后出现动脉血管危象,探查后部分成活,植皮后痊愈.10例获得了1个月～2年随访,无色素沉着及溃疡,外观满意.8例感觉达S 3,4例达S 2.结论 游离腓浅动脉单一穿支皮瓣为穿支皮瓣的延伸,符合现代皮瓣移植的最新观点,具有可一期修薄,不牺牲主干血管,解剖相对简单,供区损伤小,手术在同一区域等优点,是修复前足皮肤软组织缺损较为理想的方法 之一.     

Free deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap for reconstruction of soft‐tissue defects in extremities of children

The deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap has been a valuable tool in breast reconstruction, but seldom in extremity reconstruction. The aim of this report is to present our experience on the use of the DIEP flap for reconstruction of soft‐tissue defects in the extremities of pediatric patients. From January 2007 to February 2011, 22 consecutive free DIEP flap transfers were performed for reconstruction of complex soft‐tissue defects in the extremities of children with a mean age of 5.7 years old (ranging 2–10 years old). The flap design included transverse, oblique, and irregular DIEP flaps, containing one to three perforators in the flap. The flap size ranged from 7 × 4 cm to 18 × 17 cm. Primary donor‐site closure was accomplished in all of patients. The postoperative course was uneventfully in most of cases. The venous congestion was observed in two cases. One case of venous congestion was caused by flap inset with tension. The other case with venous thrombosis ended with partial loss of the flap after salvage procedure. There was one total flap loss due to the arterial thrombosis. The flap survival rate was 95.5%. The mean follow‐up was 12 months (ranging 6–36 months). All reconstructed extremities had satisfactory aesthetic and functional outcomes except two cases undergoing the secondary debulking procedures. The donor sites healed well in all cases without complications. Our experience showed that the free DIEP flap could be an alternative for reconstruction of soft‐tissue defects in the extremities of children. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 33:612–619, 2013.