Soft Tissue Reconstruction of Children's Extremity with Perforator free Flap.
- Author:
Hak Soo KIM
1
;
Kyung Chul KIM
;
Seong Eon KIM
Author Information
1. SM Christianity Hospital Upper Extremity & Microsurgery Center, Korea. sekim48364@yahoo.co.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Children;
Thoracodorsal artery perforator flap;
Anterolateral thigh perforator flap
- MeSH:
Adult;
Arteries;
Child;
Cicatrix;
Extremities*;
Free Tissue Flaps*;
Humans;
Perforator Flap;
Range of Motion, Articular;
Spasm;
Thigh;
Thinness;
Tissue Donors
- From:Journal of the Korean Microsurgical Society
2007;16(1):14-22
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Perforator free flap (PFF) is currently a major reconstructive option for soft tissue reconstruction in adults. Although PFFs have been used commonly, most reconstructive surgeons still hesitate to perform PFFs in children. The main cause of concern is the perceived high failure rate related to the small diameter of children's perforator vessels. We present 8 consecutive cases of successful transfer of thoracodorsal artery (TDA) & anterolateral thigh (ALT) perforator flap in children. Between 2003 and 2005, 8 children(4 to 13 years old) with soft tissue defects of the extremities were reconstructed with TDA & ALT PFFs. All flaps completely survived. There were no problems relating to vascular spasm or occlusion. Range of motion of reconstructed extremities were fully recovered. Among 8 patients, only 1 patient was performed an additional flap thinning procedure. 8 cases of TDA & ALT perforator flaps were successfully transferred in children. PFF is an excellent option in reconstruction of children as well as in adults because of its thinness, long pedicle length, least donor site morbidity and acceptable donor site scar.
