The thoracodorsal artery perforator flap: anatomic basis and clinical application

Based on the dissection of 20 fresh cadavers, the authors have detailed further the vascular anatomy of the thoracodorsal artery and its cutaneous perforator vessels. The thoracodorsal artery showed a constant bifurcation into a horizontal branch and a lateral branch, located on the deep surface of the latissimus dorsi muscle 4 cm (range, 3-6 cm) distal to the inferior scapular border and 2.5 cm (range, 1-4 cm) medial to the lateral free margin of the muscle. In 20 specimens there was a total of 64 musculocutaneous perforators larger than 0.5 mm. Thirty-six perforators (56%) originated from the lateral branch and 28 perforators (44%) originated from the horizontal branch. All perforators originated within a distance of 8 cm from the neurovascular hilus and ran in proximity with the horizontal or lateral branches. In 11 dissections (55%) there was also a direct cutaneous branch originating from the extramuscular course of the thoracodorsal artery before the neurovascular hilus. This cutaneous branch did not pierce the latissimus muscle but rounded the lateral muscle edge and supplied the overlying subcutaneous tissue and skin. It is hoped that the constant anatomy will encourage surgeons in the future to use the thoracodorsal artery perforator flap more often.     

背阔肌游离皮瓣修复面颈部瘢痕挛缩畸形

目的:研究背阔肌游离皮瓣在修复面颈部挛缩畸形中所起的重要作用。方法:10例面颈部瘢痕彻底松解后,采用游离的背阔肌肌皮瓣治疗,将胸背动静脉分别与面动静脉吻合,供瓣区采用中厚皮片移植,其中两例采用预扩张的背阔肌游离皮瓣进行修复。结果:9例背阔肌肌皮瓣游离移植后完全存活,1例背阔肌皮瓣远端部分坏死,术后患者的面颈部功能和外形得到明显的改善。结论:背阔肌游离皮瓣修复面颈部瘢痕挛缩畸形效果可靠。     

A novel reconstruction of 2 distinct defects: concomitant use of a thoracodorsal artery perforator flap and its corresponding muscle flap

A perforator flap completely spares the underlying muscle, so the muscle tissue can now be used as a second flap for the reconstruction of another defect after the harvest of the overlying perforator flap as long as sufficient nutritive branches to the muscle remain. The authors describe here the creation of 2 independent free flaps from a single donor site, the latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous unit. The 2 flaps, thoracodorsal artery perforator and its corresponding muscle flap, were created and transferred to 2 distinct defects. Using this technique, we could avoid creation of double donor sites and so minimize the donor morbidity to that associated with the traditional single musculocutaneous flap. This technique was employed by us for treating 2 patients who presented with 2 separate defects.     

Kombinierter Latissimus-dorsi- und A.-thoracodorsalis-Perforatortranspositionslappen

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction or complete cover of extended but polygonal defects is limited by the size of transplantable tissue. One of the largest composite tissue components to be transplanted is the myocutaneous latissimus dorsi flap. Under certain circumstances even this large-scale flap is not sufficient for complete defect cover. Based on experiences with the thoracodorsal artery perforator (TAP) flap, the skin island adjacent to the latissimus muscle may be raised, pedicled on the perforator vessels penetrating the underlying muscle. Thus this island may easily be transposed or rotated to enable additional defect cover. METHODS: This method was applied in eight patients for defect cover at the extremities, thorax or for hypopharynx reconstruction. The exact location of perforator vessels may be determined pre- or intraoperatively with a hand Doppler so that skin flap transposition can already be planned before surgery. RESULTS: All of the skin flaps transposed or rotated healed without complications. It may even be assumed that utilizing this method helped to avoid further complications like scar contractures, because tension-free wound closure was feasible. CONCLUSIONS: The combined latissimus dorsi- thoracodorsal artery perforator-transpositional free flap is capable of covering very extensive polygonal as well as defects over joints in order to prevent scar contractions.     

穿支皮瓣修复四肢创面临床应用56例

目的 探讨应用穿支皮瓣修复四肢创面的临床效果。方法 自2016年11月至2018年10月,采用股前外侧穿支皮瓣(ALTP)、腹壁下动脉穿支皮瓣(DIEP)、骨间后动脉穿支皮瓣(PIAP)、胸背动脉穿支皮瓣(TDAP)、腓肠内侧动脉穿支皮瓣(MSAP)、桡侧副动脉穿支皮瓣(RCAP)游离移植修复四肢创面56例,软组织缺损面积1.5 cm×1.5 cm~ 10.0 cm×24.0 cm,皮瓣切取面积2.0 cm×2.0 cm~ 11.0 cm×25.0 cm。供区均直接缝合关闭。术后观察皮瓣成活与创面愈合情况,定期随访皮瓣外观、质地、肢体功能恢复及皮瓣供区外形及功能。结果 1例DIEP移植术后第3天发生静脉危象,经手术探查重新吻合静脉后成活,皮瓣远端部分表皮坏死,经换药治疗后愈合;其余55例皮瓣均顺利成活,皮瓣受区与供区创口均一期愈合。术后6~ 18个月随访,皮瓣颜色正常,质地柔软,肢体功能恢复良好,皮瓣供区仅残留线形瘢痕,功能无影响。结论 穿支皮瓣修复四肢创面疗效可靠,可以推广应用。     

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。     

Thoracodorsal artery perforator flap: a versatile alternative for various soft tissue defects

Thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flap is a relatively new member of the perforator flap family. The objective of this study is to describe the use of pedicled and free TDAP flaps for various soft tissue defects. Fifteen patients underwent soft tissue reconstruction using 16 TDAP flaps. Twelve pedicled flaps were used for axillary, breast, and shoulder regions. Four free flaps were used for cheek, popliteal, hand, and foot reconstruction. The flaps were harvested based on the perforators, which were preoperatively located at or close to a point 8 cm below the posterior axillary fold and 2 cm behind the lateral border of the latissimus dorsi muscle. Early, late, major, and minor complications were documented. In 13 of the 16 flaps, perforators from the thoracodorsal artery were found in the circle 3 cm in diameter, centered on the anatomic landmark. Three other perforators were found outside this circle. One flap loss was considered the only major complication. Minor complications occurred in 12.5% of flaps. Although the vascular anatomy can be variable, free and pedicled TDAP flap is a versatile option in soft tissue reconstruction.     

Combined latissimus dorsi-thoracodorsal artery perforator free flap: the "razor flap"

Elevation of the skin island overlying the latissimus dorsi muscle, dissecting the dominant perforating vessel, permits independent positioning of the skin island in relation to the muscle. This combination of the thoracodorsal artery perforator (TAP) and the latissimus dorsi (LD) muscle flap expands the surface of the flap without increasing donor morbidity.     

Closure of large orbital-maxillary defects with free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps

The treatment of advanced cancer of the maxillary sinus often requires extensive ablation and orbital exenteration that results in large full-thickness defects of the upper cheek and orbital regions. Reconstruction of such defects with local flaps is usually difficult because of the need for a large flap. Several regional flaps such as the deltopectoral flap, the temporal flap, and the shoulder flap may be used, but these techniques frequently require surgery in stages and result in severe deformity of the donor site. The island pedicled, pectoralis major myocutaneous flap may be rotated up to the orbital region; however, the uncertain blood supply to the skin in the distal area of the pectoralis may cause unexpected marginal necrosis of the flap. Reconstruction of large orbital-maxillary defects can readily be accomplished in one stage using microsurgical free transfer of latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flaps. The thoracodorsal artery and vein that form the nutrient pedicle of the flap approaches 2 mm in external diameter and up to 10 cm in length, allowing greater versatility in head and neck reconstruction. The muscle may be used to fill the orbital and maxillary cavities and will accept a skin graft on its deep surface. The donor defect is closed primarily and the resulting scar is well concealed beneath the arm. If necessary, extremely large flaps may be transferred by harvesting the entire latissimus dorsi muscle and the overlying skin based on the thoracodorsal system.     

Transverse thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps: experience with 31 free flaps.

The conventional design of free thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flaps is orientated vertically along the long axis of the latissimus dorsi muscle, i.e. along the course of the descending branch of the thoracodorsal artery. However, this method does not consider perforators derived from the transverse branch of the thoracodorsal artery, and leaves a long scar that runs perpendicular to the relaxed skin tension line. Accordingly, scar widening and hypertrophy are frequently encountered problems. From April 2004 to December 2005, 31 free TDAP flap transfers were performed in 29 patients for reconstruction of the lower extremity (16 flaps), head and neck (12 flaps), and upper extremity (three flaps). Flap long axes were laid transversely following the relaxed skin tension line and paddles were designed to include proximal perforators from both branches of the thoracodorsal artery. Flap sizes ranged from 7x5 cm to 22x12 cm with a mean thickness of 7.5mm (range 3-13 mm). Among the 40 perforators employed as pedicles, 34 were derived from the descending branch and six were from the transverse branch of the thoracodorsal artery. Except for a single case of total flap loss, the other flaps were successfully transferred. Donor scars ranged from 6 to 28 mm in width after a minimum follow-up period of 10 months. The transverse design may be preferred whilst planning free TDAP flap transfer, because the surgeon has a wider choice of perforators and the final donor scar has a less disfiguring appearance.     

Free medial sural artery perforator flap for resurfacing distal limb defects

BACKGROUND: The need for thin flap coverage has increased, especially for contouring or covering shallow defects of distal limbs. The free medial sural artery perforator flap harvested from the medial aspect of the upper calf can be useful for this purpose. METHODS: Between January 2002 and February 2003, we used the free medial sural artery perforator flap for distal limb reconstruction in 11 clinical cases, including four hands and seven feet. This perforator flap is based on the proximal major perforator of the medial sural artery, which can be identified along the axis of the medial sural artery and usually emerges in an area between 6 and 10 cm from the popliteal crease and approximately 5 cm from the posterior midline of the leg. RESULTS: Most of the flaps were safely raised with a single perforator. One flap developed venous congestion during the postoperative course and finally underwent total necrosis. CONCLUSION: The main advantage of the medial sural artery perforator flap is that it only requires cutaneous tissue to achieve better accuracy in reconstructive site, and it preserves the medial gastrocnemius muscle and motor nerve to minimize donor-site morbidity. However, the tedious process of intramuscular retrograde dissection of the perforator and the unsightly scar of the donor region are the major concerns.     

Repair of severe composite tissue defects in the lower leg using two different cross-leg free composite tissue flaps

This article reports 2 cross-leg free composite tissue flaps for repairing the severe composite tissue defects in lower leg without suitable adjacent recipient vasculature for microvascular anastomosis. The osseous myocutaneous flap of ilium and tensor fascia lata pedicled with ascending branch of lateral femoral circumflex vessels and the osseous muscle flap of scapula and latissimus dorsi pedicled with subscapular vessels were performed, respectively, to reconstruct the bone and soft-tissue defects in the lower leg of 2 patients. Both donor vessels were the posterior tibial artery and great saphenous vein from the contralateral lower leg. The legs and the bone flaps were immobilized by an external fixator. The periods of pedicle division were 43 and 67 days, respectively, after transplantation. Both flaps survived after pedicle division and the patients regained the ability to walk. There were no such complications as joint stiffness or donor site morbidity except for a linear scar. The 2 cross-leg free composite tissue flaps were optional methods for salvaging limbs that were otherwise nonreconstructable. But the indication for cross-leg free-tissue flap should be limited strictly.     

穿支皮瓣移植修复四肢软组织缺损108例

目的 探讨应用穿支皮瓣修复四肢皮肤软组织缺损的临床效果. 方法2007年7月至2009年5月,分别采用腹壁下动脉穿支皮瓣、股前外侧穿支皮瓣、胸背动脉穿支皮瓣、股外侧穿支皮瓣、骨间背侧动脉穿支皮瓣、桡侧副动脉穿支皮瓣、腓肠内侧动脉穿支皮瓣、胫后动脉穿支皮瓣、旋髂深动脉穿支皮瓣、腓动脉穿支皮瓣移植修复四肢皮肤软组织缺损108例(游离移植98例,带蒂转移10例),皮瓣切取面积最小4 cm×2 cm,最大44 cm×9 cm,皮瓣供区均直接缝合.结果 术后5例发生静脉危象,其中1例松解包扎后危象解除,4例再次手术探查,2例成活,2例坏死,其余103例顺利成活,皮瓣受区与供区创121愈合良好.术后随访6-24个月(平均10个月),皮瓣颜色、质地好,外形不臃肿;皮瓣供区遗留线性瘢痕,功能无影响. 结论穿支皮瓣不携带肌肉、深筋膜及运动神经,对皮瓣供区影响小,还具有血供可靠、质地薄、不需二期去脂整形的优点,是修复四肢浅表创面的首选方法.     

Pre-expanded Muscle-sparing Latissimus Dorsi Flaps for Reconstruction of Severe Scar Contractures on the Anterior Chest

ObjectiveTo investigate the utility of pre-expanded muscle-sparing latissimus dorsi flaps in the reconstruction of deformities secondary to severe scar contractures on the anterior chest.MethodsThe function of the latissimus dorsi was preserved with blood supply from the main or lateral branch of the thoracodorsal artery. The entire treatment period was divided into two stages, during which segmental latissimus dorsi flaps were pre-expanded in stage I and anterior chest scar deformities were reconstructed in stage II.During stage I, the musculocutaneous perforators arising from the lateral branch of the thoracodorsal artery were determined by ultrasound preoperatively; the flap design included the anterior segment of the latissimus dorsi supplied by the musculocutaneous perforators from the lateral branch; and a tissue expander was placed following flap dissection and then infused with saline intermittently for 4–6 months.In stage II, the chest scars were excised, and breast tissues were repositioned; the continuity of the medial branch of the thoracodorsal nerve to the muscle was preserved when reconstruction was performed using the segmental latissimus dorsi flaps supplied by the main or lateral branch of the thoracodorsal artery.ResultsFrom October 2010 to October 2019, 21 patients (on 24 sides) underwent reconstructive procedures for extensive scar contractures on the anterior chest. All flaps survived, and their donor sites were sutured directly. During a follow-up of 3 months to 8 years, the flaps became soft and exhibited color similar to that of the adjacent tissues. The limited neck and shoulder movements improved, and postoperatively, all female patients were satisfied with the shape of their breasts. Additionally, neither apparent weakening on the adduction, internal rotation, or extension strength of the shoulder joint on the affected side nor marked depression deformity in the back was observed.ConclusionPre-expanded muscle-sparing latissimus dorsi flaps with blood supply from the main or lateral branch of the thoracodorsal artery proved to be a desirable option for the reconstruction of extensive scar contractures on the anterior chest.     

The thoracodorsal artery perforator flap with a vascularized scapular segment for reconstruction of a composite lower extremity defect

High-energy trauma resulting in a composite defect of the lower extremity confronts the microvascular surgeon with more difficulties than do free flap reconstruction elsewhere in the body, since the choice of distant recipient vessels is particularly difficult. Combining principles of perforator flap surgery with those of composite tissue transfer, we designed a thoracodorsal artery perforator flap with a vascularized bone segment from the scapula for reconstruction of a composite lower extremity defect in a patient following a paragliding accident. This is the first report on the application of a composite thoracodorsal artery perforator flap with vascularized scapula in lower extremity reconstruction. Among its multiple advantages, such as preservation of latissimus dorsi function, it is a good tool for one-stage reconstruction of traumatic composite lower extremity defects because its low donor site morbidity and long vascular pedicle enables anastomosis placement outside the zone of injury.     

胸背动脉肌皮穿支皮瓣的解剖学研究与临床意义

目的探讨背阔肌肌皮穿支皮瓣的解剖学基础及临床应用的可行性。方法①在15具（30侧）防腐成人尸体标本上,对背阔肌及其主要血供进行巨微解剖学观察。②对1具（2侧）防腐成人尸体标本作背阔肌肌皮穿支皮瓣及肌瓣与穿支肌皮瓣分离的共蒂“扇形”瓣模拟手术。结果①在32侧标本中,共发现血管外径大于0．5mm的肌皮穿支102支,其中来自胸背动脉内侧支的穿支数为56支（占55％）,来自胸背动脉外侧支的穿支数为46支（占45％）。每侧标本内侧支平均发出1．9支（在1-3支之间变化）,外侧支平均发出1．8支（在1-3支之间变化）。②胸背动脉内、外侧支的肌皮穿支外径大于0．5mm的穿支血管主要集中在距神经血管窗下约8．5cm（变化在6．4-9．2cm之间）范围内。结论胸背动脉的肌皮穿支血管位置恒定,管径粗,蒂长,适宜制作成肌皮穿支肌皮瓣或“扇形”瓣。     

Differences in intramuscular vascular connections of human and dog latissimus dorsi muscles

BACKGROUND: Distal ischemia and necrosis of the dog latissimus dorsi muscle flap used in experimental cardiomyoplasty have been reported. However, little information on the intramuscular vascular anatomy of the dog latissimus dorsi is available. It is unclear whether there are any anatomic factors relating to the muscle flap ischemia and necrosis, and whether the dog latissimus dorsi is a suitable experimental model. METHODS: To study the intramuscular vascular territories in the dog latissimus dorsi muscle, and to compare the intramuscular vasculature of the dog with that of the human, 5 fresh dog cadavers and 7 fresh human cadavers were injected with a mixture of lead oxide, gelatin, and water (200 mL/kg) through the carotid artery. Both the dog and the human latissimus dorsi muscles and neurovascular pedicles were dissected and radiographed. The intramuscular vascular anatomy of the latissimus dorsi muscles was compared. RESULTS: Radiographs demonstrate clearly that the pattern of latissimus dorsi intramuscular anastomoses between branches of the thoracodorsal artery and the perforators of posterior intercostal arteries in the proximal half of the muscle are different between the dog and the human. In the dog muscle, vascular connections between the thoracodorsal artery and the posterior intercostal arteries are formed by reduced-caliber choke arteries, whereas four to six true anastomoses without a change in caliber between them are found in the human muscle. The portion of the latissimus dorsi muscle supplied by the dominant thoracodorsal vascular territory was 25.9% +/- 0.3% in the dog and 23.9% +/- 0.5% in the human. For further comparison, an extended vascular territory in the latissimus dorsi muscle was demonstrated, including both the thoracodorsal territory and the posterior intercostal territories. The area of the extended vascular territory was 52% +/- 0.5% of the total muscle. CONCLUSIONS: The dog latissimus dorsi model may not be a perfect predictor of the behavior of the human latissimus dorsi muscle flap in cardiomyoplasty.     

腓肠内侧动脉穿支皮瓣修复上下肢创面

目的介绍吻合血管的腓肠内侧动脉穿支皮瓣修复上下肢创面的临床方法和经验。方法采用吻合血管的腓肠内侧动脉穿支皮瓣修复上下肢创面11例，女6例，男5例。皮瓣设计区域为同侧小腿，腓肠内侧肌肌腹以远1／2的表面部分，前内界为胫骨的内后缘，后外侧界为小腿后正中纵轴线，皮瓣的轴行线为前内界和后外侧界的中线。皮瓣长8～15cm，宽6～14cm。结果10例皮瓣成活，皮瓣质地柔软，富有弹性，不臃肿，恢复了一定的触觉；1例皮瓣全部坏死，经扩创、断层皮片修复创面；不影响供区的运动功能。结论腓肠内侧动脉穿支皮瓣可以用来修复上下肢创面，尤其对手足部创面的修复有较为满意的临床疗效。     

肩胛骨肋骨及背阔肌肌皮瓣复合组织移植修复胫骨长段缺损一例

目的设计以肩胛下血管为蒂的游离肩胛骨外侧缘、肋骨及背阔肌肌皮瓣复合组织移植修复胫骨长段缺损1例,评价其疗效。方法患者,男,39岁。因外伤致胫骨开放性骨折,在外院行清创植皮和外固定支架固定术后5个月,左胫骨中段骨缺损长达12cm,伴胫骨中上段内侧贴骨瘢痕12cm×6cm。设计并切取肩胛下动脉-胸背动脉为蒂的背阔肌肌皮瓣14cm×5cm、胸背动脉肩胛骨支为蒂的肩胛骨外侧缘骨瓣12.5cm、胸背动脉前锯肌支为蒂的前锯肌-第6肋肋骨瓣13cm。将肩胛下动脉和胫后动脉近端吻合,旋肩胛动脉和胫后动脉远端吻合,肩胛下静脉和小隐静脉吻合;肩胛骨外侧缘骨瓣和肋骨瓣修复胫骨缺损,钢板内固定,背阔肌肌皮瓣覆盖原瘢痕创面。结果复合瓣成活,切口期愈合。术后6个月胫骨植骨上下端骨愈合,经2年随访,患肢已部分负重,术后供区肩关节功能无影响。结论肩胛骨肋骨及背阔肌肌皮瓣复合组织移植是修复胫骨长段骨缺损的一种可选择的有效方法。     

Versatility of the pedicled thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flap in soft tissue reconstruction

For the last decades, the latissimus dorsi skin-muscle flap has contributed to the efficient reconstruction of the loss of skin cover (especially in breast surgery) and in long-distance tissue defects. Unfortunately, the nonuse of such an important muscle as the latissimus dorsi for the patient, as well as the resulting thickness of the flap after reconstruction, has turned it into a second choice flap. However, this flap is still indicated in the reconstruction of areas which need a great amount of cutaneous and muscular tissue. The appearance of the perforator flaps and, specifically, thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flap, has meant a radical change in relation to lower morbidity of the donor site, thus highly ranking the use of these flaps in the reconstruction for similar defects. The aim of this publication is to present our experience with the pedicled TDAP flap in a series of 17 different cases. Of those, there were 14 cases of mammary reconstruction after sparing surgery, 2 cases of axillary reconstruction following severe recurrent hidradenitis, and a case of extensive substance loss in a patient's upper limb following a severe crush injury.