Upper extremity reconstruction using free SCIA/SIEA flap

The most suitable free flap alternative in upper extremity reconstruction has adequate and quality of tissue with consistent vascular pedicle. Free flap must provide convenient tissue texture to reconstruct aesthetic and functional units of upper extremity. Furthermore, minimal donor site morbidity is preferred features in free flap election. In our efforts to obtain the best possible outcome for patients, we chose, as a first priority, the free superficial circumflex inferior artery (SCIA)/superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flap over other free flap options for the soft‐tissue reconstruction of upper extremities. The authors retrospectively report the results of 20 free SCIA/SIEA flaps for upper extremity reconstruction during the past 3 years. Nineteen of 20 flaps were successful (95%): three required emergent postoperative reexploration of the anastomosis and one failed. Flap thinning (n = 4) was performed during the flap harvest, whereas some flaps were thinned with secondary debulking (n = 4). The functional and aesthetic results were evaluated as acceptable by all patients. Based on our results, a free SCIA/SIEA flap has the following advantages in soft‐tissue reconstruction of the upper extremity: (1) if necessary, flap thinning may be performed safely at the time of flap elevation and (2) flaps are harvested using a lower abdominal incision so that it causes minimal donor site scar. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2010.