Functional perforator flap: concept and clinical applications.
10.7507/1002-1892.202507045
- Author:
Hu JIAO
1
;
Mengqing ZANG
1
;
Lu ZHOU
1
;
Shengyang JIN
1
;
Jiadong PAN
2
;
Miao WANG
1
;
Xin WANG
2
;
Yuanbo LIU
1
Author Information
1. Department of Scar and Wound Treatment Ⅱ, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100144, P. R. China.
2. Department of Hand Microsurgery and Plastic Reconstructive Surgery, Ningbo No.6 Hospital, Ningbo Zhejiang, 315043, P. R. China.
- Publication Type:English Abstract
- Keywords:
Perforator flap;
chimeric flap;
flow-through flap;
functional perforator flap;
lymphatic drainage;
nerve repair
- MeSH:
Humans;
Perforator Flap/blood supply*;
Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods*;
Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery*;
Skin Transplantation/methods*;
Wound Healing
- From:
Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery
2025;39(9):1076-1085
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE:To review the clinical applications of functional perforator flaps in restoring human body functions.
METHODS:An extensive literature review was conducted on both domestic and international publications to summarize the clinical use of functional perforator flaps for functional restoration.
RESULTS:Perforator flaps are among the most commonly used flaps in reconstructive surgery. Beyond providing soft tissue repair, they are increasingly employed to reconstruct diverse bodily functions, leading us to propose the concept of the "functional perforator flap". Although various forms of functional perforator flaps are currently utilized, reports are predominantly scattered case studies, lacking systematic organization. Commonly used functional perforator flaps can be categorized into five types: chimeric perforator flaps, perforator flaps for nerve function restoration, perforator flaps for lymphatic drainage enhancement, flow-through perforator flaps, and perforator flaps for restoring bone and joint motion. These flaps significantly broaden the application scope of perforator flaps, elevating the goal of reconstruction from mere wound repair to achieving repair concurrent with functional reconstruction.
CONCLUSION:The application of various functional perforator flap designs significantly improves wound reconstruction outcomes and represents an effective approach for managing complex defects. Future developments will undoubtedly see more forms of functional perforator flaps reported to meet increasingly sophisticated reconstructive demands.
