Perforator Flaps in Head and Neck Reconstruction.
10.7599/hmr.2009.29.3.265
- Author:
Youn Hwan KIM
1
;
Jeong Tae KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, School of Medicine, Hanyang University, Seoul, Korea. jtkim@hanyang.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Perforator flaps;
Head and neck reconstruction
- MeSH:
Cheek;
Epigastric Arteries;
Forearm;
Head*;
Humans;
Methods;
Myocutaneous Flap;
Neck*;
Oropharynx;
Perforator Flap*;
Rectus Abdominis;
Scalp;
Thigh;
Tissue Donors
- From:Hanyang Medical Reviews
2009;29(3):265-273
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Basic requirements of head and neck reconstructions are thin resurfacing, a long vascular pedicle, 3-dimensional and well customized reconstruction with a team approach. Ideal reconstruction methods were thought to be free tissue transfer including radial forearm flap, latissmus dorsi or rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap. But recently, there has been concerns about sacrifice of donor structures in these conventional flaps. For minimal sacrifice of donor structures, there has been much evolution in flap concepts, which lead to the introduction of perforator flaps. They are popular in every region for reconstruction. Anterolatral thigh, latissmus dorsi or deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flaps are commonly used. Perforator flaps could also be applied to head and neck reconstructions, because they could be used for the controlled resurfacing of scalp, cheek, neck, oropharynx, and for customized 3-dimensional reconstructions, including diverse components according to each perforator, which may result in more comfortable handling and less restricted access to the defect. The perforator flaps also have long vascular pedicles compared to conventional myocutaneous flaps, which can lead to less restriction in choosing recipient vessels. Perforator flaps have known to have many advantages as described and they give one more option in head and neck reconstruction.
