Chinese Journal Of Clinical Anatomy ›› 2017, Vol. 35 ›› Issue (2): 211-216.doi: 10.13418/j.issn.1001-165x.2017.02.019

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Application of ilioinguinal perforator flap for repairing soft tissue defects of the extremities

GU Rong, WANG Hai-wen, JIANG Xin-min, MEI Xiong-jun, ZHONG Da-qiang   

  1. New Jiang Nan Hand Surgery Hospital, Guangzhou 510288, China
  • Received:2016-12-22 Online:2017-03-25 Published:2017-04-27
  • Contact: WANG Hai-wen, E-mail:092@rxhospital.com

Abstract:

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of ilioinguinal perforator flap for repair of soft tissue defects of the extremities. Methods Twenty nine patients with soft tissue defects of the extremities complicated with deep tissue exposure or bone defects were recruited. All participants underwent ilioinguinal perforator flap transplantation including superficial iliac circumflex artery perforator flap repair in 8 cases, deep iliac circumflex artery perforator flap in 4, superficial epigastric artery perforator flap in 8, vascularized iliac osteocutaneous chimerical perforator flaps of deep circumflex iliac artery in 3 and ilioinguinal conjoined perforator flap in 6.  The minimal flap size was 5.0 cm×6.0 cm, and the maximal flap size was 35.0 cm×15.0 cm. The flap donor site was directly sutured.    Results    All flaps survived after transplantation. Two patients presented with arterial blood flow disorders induced by subcutaneous hematoma of the flaps, and blood supply was restored after the stitches were partially removed. One patient experienced vascular crisis and blood supply was restored after surgical exploration. Twenty -two patients were followed up for 1 to 24 months, with 5 months on average. The flaps were characterized with soft texture and flat shape,the two-point discrimination distance ranging from 10.0 mm to 20.0 mm. The iliac bone graft in the recipient site grew well. The fracture was completely healed. Slight scar hyperplasia in the donor site was observed in 2 patients, and linear scars were observed the remaining cases. Conclusion Ilioinguinal perforator flap transplantation has multiple advantages, such as hidden donor site, direct suture and no major arterial injury. It can be applied for flexible reconstruction for bone defects, or harvested as a large-sized conjoined perforator flap(or chimeric perforator flap)and undergo flap thinning, making it an ideal approach for repairing soft tissue defects of the extremities.

Key words: Ilioinguinal region, Superficial inferior epigastric vessels, Perforator flap, Transplantation, Skin and soft tissue defect