Internal mammary artery perforator flap for reconstruction of the chest wall

Abstract

We used internal mammary artery perforator (IMAP) flaps from the opposite side for reconstruction of small-to-medium-sized defects in the chest wall. The IMAP flaps were used in two patients who had unhealed, localised ulcers of the chest wall with exposure of the ribs after radical mastectomy. The lesion was excised widely, and the flap, based on a perforator vessel in the second or third intercostal space of the opposite chest wall, was raised. The flap was rotated from 90° to 180° along the vascular axis to the chest wall defect. The donor site was closed primarily. Both flaps showed stable postoperative circulation and survived completely. Defects of the chest wall could be covered with healthy, well-vascularised tissue on one perforator without deep infection. The IMAP flap is a reliable and less invasive option to be considered for medial, localised, reconstruction of the chest wall.     

Dual perforator propeller internal mammary artery perforator (IMAP) flap for soft-tissue defect of the contralateral clavicular area

The internal mammary artery perforator (IMAP) flap represents the evolution from axially pedicled flaps (deltopectoral flap) to perforator flaps. Both flaps are typically used for neck and tracheostoma reconstruction in male patients. We present the case of a 68-year-old obese female patient with a right upper thoracic radionecrosis secondary to breast irradiation. Soft-tissue defect measured 12×18cm. She also complained of left breast hypertrophy. Following radical debridement, a left IMAP flap extending from midline to the anterior axillary fold was raised, based on the second and fourth IMAP vessels. The flap was rotated 180° on its second and fourth perforators to cover the defect and the left breast was reshaped. The flap survived entirely and wound healing was uneventful. Ptosis and breast hypertrophy were corrected at the same time. The IMAP flap can be harvested all the way to the anterior axillary fold and used as a large propeller flap, which makes this flap suitable for contralateral thoracic reconstructions, even in female patients.     

Internal mammary artery perforator flap for head and neck reconstruction

Background: The internal mammary artery perforator (IMAP) flap is a useful modification of the classic deltopectoral flap that has a number of important roles in head and neck reconstruction. Methods and results: In this report, we describe the technique used to plan and raise the flap and demonstrate its use in three different clinical scenarios. Results and conclusions: The IMAP flap is a pedicled fasciocutaneous flap that is based on single or multiple internal mammary artery perforators. As such, it provides thin pliable tissue with a wide arc of rotation that is suitable for cutaneous, pharyngeal and tracheostomal reconstruction. Moreover, the flap is well‐vascularised, reliable and the donor site can be closed primarily.     

Medial sural artery perforator flap for tongue and floor of mouth reconstruction

BACKGROUND: The radial forearm flap is frequently considered the first choice for tongue reconstruction, but the disadvantages of donor site morbidity are well known. The search for another thin skin flap as an alternative has led to the application of the medial sural artery perforator flap. METHODS: We used 12 medial sural artery perforator flaps to reconstruct tongue and floor of mouth following cancer ablation. We paid attention to the major perforator (vein >or= 1 mm) as the vascular relay. RESULTS: Most flaps were raised with a single perforator. The size of the skin paddle varied from 9 cm x 5 cm to 14 cm x 12 cm. The mean thickness of the flap was 5.2 mm. We reexplored 1 patient for venous insufficiency and could not salvage the flap. CONCLUSIONS: The thin medial sural artery perforator flap permits high accuracy of tongue restoration and reduces the morbidity at the donor site.     

Osteomyocutaneous peroneal artery perforator flap for reconstruction of composite maxillary defects

BACKGROUND: Composite maxillary defects often involve the maxilla, nasal mucosa, palate, and maxillary sinus. We presented the surgical techniques and outcome of the osteomyocutaneous peroneal artery perforator (PAP) flap for reconstruction of composite maxillary defects. METHODS: Six patients underwent an osteomyocutaneous PAP flap reconstruction of composite maxillary defects. The average age was 52 years. The defects were Cordeiro type II in three patients and type IV midfacial defects in another three patients. RESULTS: No total or partial flap failures occurred. At a mean 12-month follow-up, five patients had a normal speech and were able to eat a regular diet. One patient tolerated a soft diet and had intelligible speech. One patient had ectropion develop. Excellent cosmesis was found in five patients. CONCLUSIONS: The osteomyocutaneous PAP flap represents a further refinement of the fibula flap and increases its versatility, with multiple skin paddles, bone segments, and soleus muscle independently isolated. It is a comparable reconstruction option for composite maxillary defects.     

Internal mammary artery perforator-based V-Y advancement flap for the reconstruction of soft tissue defects in the sternal region

Abstract

We successfully reconstructed a large defect that had been created by resection of an unstable, contracted, and hypertrophic scar with a chronic ulcer on the lower sternal area of a 67-year-old man. We used bilateral V-Y advancement flaps based on internal mammary artery perforators.     

Incisional lumbar hernia after the use of a lumbar artery perforator flap for breast reconstruction

Abstract

Autologous breast reconstruction with a perforator flap has become increasingly popular. The free lumbar artery perforator (LAP) flap has been described as a good alternative for autologous breast reconstruction. The LAP flap is a perforator flap based on a single pedicle. This flap is easy to harvest, with minimal donor-site morbidity. We present a case of a lumbar incisional hernia after LAP flap breast reconstruction in a 53-year-old patient. The patient had been treated with a bilateral mastectomy for cancer. Secondary breast reconstruction was performed with a bilateral DIEP flap. Reoperation was necessary because of a failed DIEP flap at the left side. Reconstruction was performed with a free LAP flap. The patient was referred for a right lumbar incisional hernia at the donor-site of the LAP flap. Open repair was performed with a retroperitoneal mesh. The thoracolumbar fascia was closed in with a running suture. Lumbar artery perforator is a perforator flap based on a single pedicle. Although it does not sacrifice any muscle and seems to be associated with minimal donor-site morbidity, we present the first report of a lumbar incisional hernia repair after LAP flap breast reconstruction treated using an open retroperitoneal mesh repair.     

A case of upper lip and moustache reconstruction using a submental artery perforator (SMAP) flap

The conventional submental island flap is raised based on the digastric muscle belly. Elevation of the flap using a perforator pedicle without the use of muscle has been reported, and the submental perforator was demonstrated as being reliable. In this paper, simultaneous reconstruction of the upper lip and moustache is described; this illustrates the usefulness of this flap. A 63-year-old male sustained a facial burn in a steam bath. A third degree burn occurred on his upper lip; the central area necrosed completely. Upper lip reconstruction was planned using a submental perforator-based flap. The flap was elevated without using the digastric muscle. The perforator consisted of a large artery and a small vein. After the elevation of the flap, a subcutaneous tunnel was made on the cheek and the flap was passed through the tunnel. The lip defect was reconstructed, and the donor site was closed primarily without tension. The flap survived completely.     

Anterolateral thigh flap salvage following failed deep inferior epigastric artery perforator breast reconstruction

The deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap is an option for women desiring autologous tissue breast reconstruction. If this reconstruction fails, other autologous tissue flaps, including the gluteal artery perforator and latissimus dorsi flaps, may be used for salvage. The anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap offers adequate tissue volume for breast reconstruction, acceptable fat quality and a long vascular pedicle. Other advantages include obviating the need for intraoperative position changes and harvesting tissue outside of the radiation field. Two cases involving ALT flaps used in the setting of deep inferior epigastric artery perforator failure are presented with favourable results. A review of the anatomy of the ALT flap is included.     

Donor-site morbidity of the inferior gluteal artery perforator flap for breast reconstruction in teenagers

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE:

Few options, apart from the buttock area, are available for autologous breast reconstruction in thin teenagers. The aim of the present study was to objectively evaluate and compare donor-site morbidity of the inferior gluteal artery perforator (IGAP) flap with that of the previously described inferior gluteal musculocutaneous flap.

METHOD:

A retrospective review of all IGAP flaps for breast reconstruction performed in teenagers between June 2006 and April 2011 at the Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sainte-Justine, Montreal, Quebec, was performed. Patients were invited to undergo a specific physical evaluation and complete a questionnaire on aesthetic and functional outcomes.

RESULTS:

Thirteen records and 11 photographic charts were reviewed. Lateral buttock flattening was noticeable in nine of 11 cases. Three patients experienced some degree of inferior displacement of the gluteal crease. All six patients available for the appointment presented with a zone of dysesthesia or hypoesthesia in the territory of the operated buttock and/or posterior thigh. No motor impairment was found. The questionnaire, completed by eight patients, revealed that six were satisfied or very satisfied with the surgery. Appearance of the operated buttock was rated 3.4 on a scale from 1 to 5 (5 = normal) compared with the normal side.

CONCLUSIONS:

The IGAP flap remains a suitable option for breast reconstruction in slim teenagers. Similar to the myocutaneous flap, the major donor-site morbidity of the IGAP flap remains sensory impairment involving the posterior femoral cutaneous nerve. There is, however, less visible lateral depression when it is harvested as a perforator flap.     

胫前动脉穿支螺旋桨皮瓣接力腓动脉终末前穿支螺旋桨皮瓣修复足踝部创面

目的探讨胫前动脉穿支螺旋桨皮瓣接力腓动脉终末前穿支螺旋桨皮瓣修复足踝部创面的疗效。方法2014年10月-2018年10月,收治18例足踝部创面患者。男12例,女6例。年龄8~56岁,平均32.8岁。致伤原因:交通事故伤11例,高处坠落伤3例,重物砸伤4例。创面部位:足背部9例,足跟4例,外踝5例。受伤至皮瓣修复时间7~34 d,平均19 d。创面范围6.0 cm×2.5 cm^11.0 cm×6.0 cm。采用大小为6 cm×3 cm^18 cm×7 cm的腓动脉终末前穿支螺旋桨皮瓣修复足踝部创面,其供区以胫前动脉穿支螺旋桨皮瓣(8 cm×3 cm^16 cm×6 cm)修复。结果术后1例腓动脉终末前穿支螺旋桨皮瓣出现瘀血肿胀,经对症处理后成活。其余皮瓣均顺利成活,供受区创面均Ⅰ期愈合。18例患者均获随访,随访时间6~15个月,平均12.5个月。末次随访时,两皮瓣外形、色泽、质地和厚度与受区基本一致,供区仅遗留线性瘢痕。腓动脉终末前穿支螺旋桨皮瓣两点辨别觉为10~12 mm,平均11 mm。根据美国矫形足踝协会(AOFAS)评分评价,获优15例、良3例,优良率为100%。结论应用胫前动脉穿支螺旋桨皮瓣接力腓动脉终末前穿支螺旋桨皮瓣修复足踝部创面,不需要牺牲主干血管,还能避免供区植皮,踝关节功能恢复满意。     

Use of dorsal intercostal artery perforator flap in the repair of back defects

Background: The dorsal intercostal artery perforator (DICAP) flap is a well-vascularised flap that is elevated above the dorsal branch of the vertebral segments of the posterior intercostal artery. The aim of this study was to repair back defects using DICAP flaps.

Materials and methods: Eight patients who had undergone reconstruction with DICAP flaps for defects located on the back of the torso due to conditions of various aetiologies between 2011–2014 were included in this study. Patient age and gender, aetiology of the condition, dimensions of the defect and the flap, site of the defect, and postoperative complications were recorded.

Results: Three females and five males were included in this study. The age of the patients ranged between 19–71 years (mean?=?53.6 years). The aetiology was skin tumour in five patients and pressure wound, gunshot injury, and plate screw exposition subsequent to spinal surgery in one patient each. The sites of the defects were successfully closed in all patients, and no flap loss was observed in any patient.

Conclusions: DICAP flaps have some advantages compared to conventional muscle and muscle skin flaps, such as greater protection of muscle functions, less invasiveness, and lower donor site morbidity. This flap has a high mobilisation capacity due to its elevation above nine bilateral perforator arteries. Therefore, the DICAP flap is useful for the repair of median and paramedian back defects. Based on its advantages, it is suggested that the DICAP flap should be considered as a useful option for the repair of back defects.