title: Scalp reconstruction by microvascular free tissue transfer.
abstract: We report on a series of patients with scalp defects who have been treated with a variety of free flaps, spanning the era of microvascular free tissue transfer from its incipient stages to the present. Between 1971 and 1987, 18 patients underwent scalp reconstruction with 21 free flaps: 11 latissimus dorsi, 3 scalp transfers between identical twins, 3 groin, one combined latissimus dorsi and serratus anterior, two serratus anterior, and one omentum. These flaps were used to cover scalp defects resulting from burns, trauma, radiation, and tumors in patients ranging from 7 to 79 years of age. Follow-up has ranged from 3 weeks to 7 years. All of our flaps survived and covered complex defects, many of which had failed more conservative attempts at cover. One patient received radiation therapy to his flap without unfavorable sequelae. This experience began with a pioneering omental flap and includes cutaneous and muscle flaps. The latissimus dorsi is our first choice for free flap reconstruction of extensive, complicated scalp wounds because of its large size, predictable blood supply, ease of harvesting, and provision of excellent vascularity to compromised beds.
authors.affiliation: Microsurgical Replantation Transplantation Department, Davies Medical Center, San Francisco, CA 94114.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Furnas
authors.forename: W C
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Lineaweaver
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Alpert
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Buncke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002056:Burns / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009132:Muscles / Q000637:transplantation*; D009852:Omentum / Q000637:transplantation*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D012535:Scalp / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D016038:Skin Transplantation; D013518:Surgery, Plastic / Q000379:methods*; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery