[Clinical application of thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps].
OBJECTIVE
To analyses the clinical application of thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps (TAP).


METHODS
We used free or pedicled TAP flaps in 7 patients from Aug 2006 to April 2007, The age ranged from 7 to 42 years old, the perforator arteries was detected and labeled with a hand held Doppler flowmeter, the size of flaps ranged from 6 cm x 9 cm - 12 cm x 16 cm, the flaps designed with perforator artery included, all the flaps are based on the first perforator artery.


RESULTS
All the flaps survived well, no complication occurred with lowest donor site morbidity.


CONCLUSIONS
The thoracodorsal artery flap with latissimus dorsal muscle saved is a thin and reliable flaps with robust of blood supply, the flap can reduce significantly donor site morbidity and is a good choice for reconstructive surgery.
Wang
Xian-Cheng
XC
Division of Plastic Surgery and Burns, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha 410011, China. wangxiancheng64@hotmail.com
Lu
Qing
Q
Li
Xiao-Fang
XF
Qiu
Wen-Kui
WK
Zhao
Bai-Cheng
BC
Wang
Yu-Yin
YY
Pi
Li
L
He
Ji-Yong
JY
Wu
Zu-Lin
ZL
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001415:Back / Q000098:blood supply; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D013895:Thoracic Arteries / Q000637:transplantation*; D055815:Young Adult