Further experience with the medial circumflex femoral(GRACILIS) perforator free flap

The microsurgical transfer of the medial groin skin territory previously required this to be part of a transverse-oriented gracilis musculocutaneous free flap. As the concept of muscle perforator flaps has evolved, avoidance of muscle bulk and/or retention of muscle function here is also possible with the careful intramuscular dissection of the gracilis musculocutaneous perforators back to the usual medial circumflex femoral source vessel. This so-called medial circumflex femoral (GRACILIS) [MCF (GRACILIS)] perforator free flap has been successfully used seven times in six patients with minimal complications. The MCF (GRACILIS) muscle perforator flap may well represent the ideal skin flap: no muscle function is sacrificed; a reliable skin territory of large size is available; the dominant vascular pedicle is consistent in location; the flap may be harvested with the patient in a supine position; a combined conjoint flap including the gracilis muscle is optional; closure of the donor site leaves a medial groin scar that can be readily concealed; and flap dissection in this region is already very familiar to most microsurgeons.     

Perineoscrotal reconstruction using a medial circumflex femoral artery perforator flap

Major scrotal defects may result from infection due to Fournier's gangrene, excision of scrotal skin diseases, traumatic avulsion of scrotal and penile skin, and genital burns. The wide spectrum of bacterial flora of the perineum, difficulty in providing immobilisation, and obtaining a natural contour of the testes make testicular cover very difficult. Various methods have been reported to cover the penoscrotal area, including skin grafting, transposing them to medial thigh skin, and use of local fasciocutaneous or musculocutaneous flaps. In this report, reconstruction using six local medial circumflex femoral artery perforator (MCFAP) flaps was undertaken in five male patients (mean age, 47 years) with complex penoscrotal or perineal wounds. The cause of the wounds in four patients was Fournier's gangrene, and was a wide papillomateous lesion in the other patient. Flap width was 6-10 cm and flap length was 10-18 cm. The results showed that a MCFAP flap provided the testes with a pliable local flap without being bulky and also protected the testicle without increasing the temperature. The other advantage of the MCFAP flap was that the donor-site scar could be concealed in the gluteal crease. Our results demonstrated that the MCFAP flap is an ideal local flap for covering penoscrotal defects.     

Superiority of medial circumflex femoral artery perforator flap in scrotal reconstruction

Scrotal skin has unique cosmetic and functional features that make its reconstruction difficult. Coverage of the testicles and constituting a good cosmetic appearance are major expectations from a successful reconstruction. Usually flaps are the choice for scrotal reconstruction, but every single flap has its own characteristics. In our series, between January 2006 and January 2010, the medial circumflex femoral artery perforator flap was used in 7 male patients for scrotal coverage after Fournier gangrene. Six flaps were raised based on a single perforator from the gracilis muscle; however in one flap 2 perforators were used. Flaps were carried to the defect either by transposition or by V-Y advancement. Donor areas were closed directly in all patients, and stable scrotal coverage was achieved with an acceptable scrotal contour and cosmesis. No major complication was seen due the perforator flap surgery, in 2 patients wound dehiscence were noted and they healed by secondary intention or by secondary suturing. For scrotal reconstruction, the medial circumflex femoral artery perforator flap is a good option with its good mobility, thinness for scrotal contour, possibility for muscle preservation, and direct closure of the donor site. All these advantages can be accomplished in 1 procedure.     

The medial sural(MEDIAL GASTROCNEMIUS) perforator local flap

The medial sural(MEDIAL GASTROCNEMIUS) perforator flap has previously been described as a free flap distinguished by the potential for a large yet thin cutaneous flap that incorporates the calf skin territory. Its medial sural vascular pedicle can be tailored to allow reach extending from the popliteal fossa to the suprapatellar area also as a local flap without any need for microsurgery. Two variations presented are possible as either a broad-based peninsular or island flap. Both are alternatives to the more traditional medial gastrocnemius muscle flap and, because this is a true muscle perforator flap, function is always preserved.     

Scrotal reconstruction following fournier gangrene using the medial circumflex femoral artery perforator flap

Fournier gangrene can have devastating consequences. Often in the male, the testicles become exposed and demand both a functional and esthetic coverage. Local medial thigh cutaneous flaps usually still are available and have evolved to become a preferred solution. The medial circumflex femoral artery perforator (MCFAP) flap based on musculocutaneous perforators of the gracilis muscle represents yet another one of these options. As with all muscle perforator flaps, no muscle need be expended. A case report illustrates the role of the MCFAP flap for creation of a neoscrotum.     

Deep circumflex iliac perforator flap

The increased freedom of the DCIP flap from the harvested iliac crest facilitates correct positioning. To ensure that the DCIP flap can be safely elevated, however, the presence of perforators (approximately 1 cm in diameter) must be confirmed preoperatively and intraoperatively.     

The thin circumflex scapular artery perforator flap.

The development of microsurgery has most recently been focused upon the evolution of perforator flaps, with the aim of minimising donor site morbidity, and avoiding the transfer of functionally unnecessary tissues. The vascular basis of perforator flaps also facilitates radical primary thinning prior to flap transfer, when appropriate. Based upon initial clinical observations, cadaveric, and radiological studies, we describe a new, thin, perforator flap based upon the circumflex scapular artery (CSA). A perforator vessel was found to arise within 1.5cm of the CSA bifurcation (arising from the main trunk, or the descending branch). The perforator arborises into the sub-dermal vascular plexus of the dorsal scapular skin, permitting the elevation and primary thinning of a skin flap. This thin flap has been employed in a series of five clinical cases to reconstruct defects of the axilla (two cases of hidradenitis suppurativa; pedicled transfers), and upper limb (one sarcoma, one brachial to radial artery flowthrough revascularisation plus antecubital fossa reconstruction, and one hand reconstruction with a chimeric flap incorporating vascularised bone, fascia, and thin skin flaps; free tissue transfers). No intramuscular perforator dissection is required; pedicle length is 8-10cm and vessel diameter 2-4mm. There was no significant peri-operative complication or flap failure, all donor sites were closed primarily, patient satisfaction was high, and initial reconstructive aims were achieved in all cases. Surgical technique, and the vascular basis of the flap are described. The thin circumflex scapular artery perforator flap requires no intramuscular dissection yet provides high quality skin (whose characteristics can be varied by orientation of the skin paddle), and multiple chimeric options. The donor site is relatively hair-free, has favourable cosmesis and no known functional morbidity. This flap represents a promising addition to the existing range of perforator flaps.     

The anatomic basis of the gracilis perforator flap.

Another perforator flap, the gracilis perforator flap, has recently been added to the armamentarium of reconstructive surgeons. A detailed study of the anatomy of this flap was undertaken in this study. Forty-seven dissections were performed in cadavers and clinical cases of gracilis muscle harvesting for various reconstructive reasons. According to our findings, at least one musculocutaneous perforator of large calibre was found in the majority of the dissections performed (87%), emanating from the proximal third of gracilis. All the perforators were located within a radius of 7 cm from the point of entrance of the gracilis main vascular pedicle. In their majority, they emanated proximal to that point (83%) from the middle part (anteroposterior axis) of the muscle (62%). The intramuscular course of the perforators was easily followed and few muscular branches were encountered, before they joined the main vascular pedicle. A sensory branch of the anterior obturator nerve, accompanying the perforators, was occasionally found (29%). Finally, a superficial vein, branch of the greater saphenous, was always found within the skin territory of the flap in all dissections performed in cadavers.     

以旋股外侧动脉降支为蒂的穿支嵌合皮瓣修复口腔颌面部缺损

目的 设计以旋股外侧动脉降支为蒂的股部皮肤穿支血管的嵌合皮瓣,为修复口腔颌面部的大面积、复杂的洞穿性缺损提供一种新的方法.方法 根据旋股外侧动脉降支的走行及分支、其在股部正面及两侧可能存在的皮肤穿支血管,设计以旋股外侧动脉降支为蒂的穿支嵌合皮瓣修复口腔颌面部软组织缺损8例.此种皮瓣可分为3种类型:股前外侧皮瓣+股前内侧皮瓣、股前外侧皮瓣+股直肌穿支皮瓣、股前外侧皮瓣+股前外侧皮瓣.结果 术后8例16块皮瓣均成活,无并发症,且供区均直接拉拢缝合,未行皮片移植.术后随访1～9个月,患者面部外形和功能均良好,供区畸形和功能障碍均不明显.结论 以旋股外侧动脉降支为血管蒂的穿支嵌合皮瓣吻合血管数量少,较切取2个皮瓣供区损伤小,组织量大,适合口腔颌面部大型复杂的组织缺损的修复.     

The medial arm pedicled perforator flap: Application of phenomenon of one perforator perfusing multiple perforator angiosomes

BackgroundThe medial arm is an optimal potential donor site for treating skin defects around the elbow. However, whether a reliable pedicled perforator flap could be harvested from the medial arm remains unanswered. The purpose of this study was to report the technique and our results using the medial arm pedicled perforator flaps.MethodsA total of eight flaps in seven patients underwent the medial arm pedicled perforator flaps to treat skin defects around the elbow. The flap was pedicled on one perforator 1.3 ± 0.3 mm in diameter within 3 cm above the medial epicondyle. The flap size varied between 10 and 20 cm in length and between 6 and 10 cm in width.ResultsOf the eight flaps in seven patients, seven flaps survived uneventfully except that one suffered venous insufficiency. Six patients were followed up for 1 month to 2 years. One patient was lost to follow-up after 7 days. The wounds in all patients healed satisfactorily. No deep wound infection and wound dehiscence developed. No revision surgery was performed in the survived flaps.ConclusionsThe survival of the medial arm pedicled perforator flap confirms the phenomenon of one perforator perfusing multiple perforator angiosomes in the medial arm, although this study has the retrospective clinical nature and limited number of the patients. The medial arm pedicled perforator flap is a useful tool to treat skin defects around the elbow.