title: Perforator flaps--the history of evolution.
abstract: This article reviews the recent evolution of perforator flaps. The tie between perforator flaps and skin flaps as well as perforator flaps and musculocutaneous flaps is explained. The paraumbilical perforator flap, the deep inferior epigastric artery flap (DIEP flap), the gluteal artery perforator flap (GAP flap) and various perforator flaps and perforator-based flaps are described in combination with the review of the relevant literature. As a prospect into the future, the technique of "supra-microsurgery" is presented.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic, Reconstructive, Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC, USA.
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Heitmann
mesh_terms: D001158:Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods