A new alternative in burn reconstruction: the muscle vascularized pedicle flap.
A technique is presented that revascularizes a portion of skin and subcutaneous tissue by the implantation of a vascular pedicle surrounded by a small amount of muscle. The muscle vascularized pedicle flap technique allows one to select a skin territory and convert it into a free flap donor site as long as it is within the arc of rotation of a major vascular pedicle. The vascular pedicle and small portion of muscle is simply sutured to a sequentially delayed skin flap. After approximately two or three weeks the newly revascularized skin and subcutaneous tissue is transferred as a conventional free flap. The main advantage is that of freeing the reconstructive surgeon from the anatomical landmarks of the conventional free flap areas. In addition, one can fashion a very thin flap to fit the defect exactly. Illustrative cases are presented.
Grotting
J C
JC
Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Alabama, Birmingham.
Saltz
R
R
Nohira
K
K
Vasconez
L O
LO
D000293:Adolescent; D002056:Burns / Q000601:surgery*; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014945:Wound Healing