[Repair of circular cicatricial contracture of the thigh using deep inferior epigastric perforator flap].
OBJECTIVE
To provide an ideal method for repairing the circular cicatricial contracture of thigh.


METHODS
Deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) island flaps was elevated based only on the deep inferior epigastric artery and vein and transferred to cover the thigh wound after scar had been resected.


RESULTS
Four DIEP island flaps was applied clinically and all flaps survived. The size of the flaps ranged from (8 cm x 28 cm) to (11 cm x 32 cm). Venous return and edema had been obviously improved postoperatively. There was no abdominal weakness and hernia in the donor sites.


CONCLUSIONS
DIEP flap not only retains the advantages of TRAM flap such as good blood supply and rich tissue volume, but also preserves the integrity of the rectus abdominis muscle. DIEP island flap is a good material for repair of the circular cicatricial contracture of the thigh.
Xu
Jun
J
Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, P. R. China 100041.
Liu
Yuan-bo
YB
Mu
Lan-hua
LH
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002921:Cicatrix / Q000601:surgery*; D003286:Contracture / Q000601:surgery*; D019074:Epigastric Arteries / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013848:Thigh / Q000601:surgery