BACKGROUND Perforator flaps minimize abdominal site morbidity during autologous breast reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to assess whether the number of perforators harvested influences the overall deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap survival and flap-related complications. METHODS A retrospective review was performed of all DIEP flaps performed at the Hospital of the ...

BACKGROUND The use of perforator flaps has allowed for the transfer of large amounts of soft tissue with decreased morbidity. For breast reconstruction, the deep inferior epigastric perforator flap, the superior and inferior gluteal artery perforator flaps, and the transverse upper gracilis flap are all options. The authors present an alternative source using posterior thigh soft tissue based o...

BACKGROUND A post-burn flexion contracture of the knee joint is a disabling condition which interferes with an upright posture and a bipedal locomotion. Islanded perforator flaps have been used to resurface the tissue defect which is produced as a result of the contracture release. Despite their various advantages, they are limited by an increased tendency to undergo venous congestion. Perforat...

PURPOSE To define the association between venous volume as measured with air-plethysmography and the duplex ultrasound measured diameter of incompetent perforator of the lower limb. PATIENTS AND METHODS Thirty-six patients with chronic venous disease were investigated with air-plethysmography and duplex ultrasound. Venous volume and venous filling time was measured. Venous filling index was c...

BACKGROUND Mainstay of post-burn reconstruction is release and split skin grafting. Pedicle flaps are cumbersome to the patient, require multiple procedures and hospitalization. Free flaps are technically demanding and facilities are not universally available. Here we evaluated the local perforator flaps for post-burn reconstruction. METHODS We have used sixteen perforator propellar flaps for...

Therapy for large symptomatic keloids is often plagued with complicated reconstruction manner and recurrence. This article reports a rare treatment combination for a chest keloid with internal mammary artery perforator flap reconstruction and radiation therapy. We excised the keloid and covered the defect with an internal mammary artery perforator flap. Immediate electron-beam irradiation thera...

BACKGROUND Partially resecting ribs of the recipient site to facilitate easy anastomosis of the internal mammary vessels to free flaps during breast reconstruction can cause chest wall pain or deformities. To avoid this, the intercostal perforating branches of the internal mammary vessels can be used for anastomosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the location and size of the inte...

Objective To describe the characteristics of the perforator vessel in the peroneal artery of the lower leg and to explore the use of perforator pedicle propeller flaps to repair soft tissue defects in the lower leg, heel and foot. Methods This retrospective study enrolled patients with soft tissue defects of the distal lower leg, heel and foot who underwent surgery using peroneal perforator-bas...

Perforator flap breast reconstruction has strong appeal for many women undergoing mastec‐ tomies, but the procedure requires adequate donor site tissue. The most common donor site for perforator flap breast reconstruction is the abdomen, such as the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) or superficial inferior epigastric artery (SIEA) flap, as most women have adequate donor site tissue, th...

BACKGROUND There continues to be controversy about performing abdominoplasty concurrently with abdominal liposuction. The concern is that liposuction on the already vascularly compromised abdominal flap will lead to increased complications and flap necrosis. The central abdomen is supplied by the epigastric system. If perforator vessels from this system are spared, the blood supply to the abdom...