title: Inferolateral extension of the groin flap based on the artery accompanying the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.
abstract: The authors reconstructed hand defects using a new type of the extended groin flap in two patients. The extended portion includes the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) and the artery accompanying the LFCN (LFCA). Circulation to the extended portion was maintained by the communicating branches between the LFCA and the superficial circumflex iliac artery (SCIA). The flap was used as a pedicle flap in one patient and as a free flap in the other patient. The extended portion was elevated as an island flap based on LFCA in the latter. These flaps, including the extended portion, were transferred successfully. We have already reported use of the inferior extension of the groin flap based on the descending branch of the SCIA, in 2002. However, the extension technique described here is a different type of extension, due to the use of a different nutrient vessel. We believe that this new technique increases the usefulness of the groin flap.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Iwate Medical University, Morioka, Japan. kkashiwa@iwate-med.ac.jp
authors.forename: Katsuhiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kashiwa
authors.forename: Seiichiro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
authors.forename: Kazuhito
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ogino
authors.forename: Gen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kashiwaya
authors.forename: Hirofumi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Higuchi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006119:Groin / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery; D006230:Hand Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D013848:Thigh / Q000098:blood supply / Q000294:innervation / Q000601:surgery