title: Bowel obstruction following deep circumflex iliac artery free flap harvesting.
abstract: The deep circumflex iliac artery flap (DCIA) has been well described as an autograft flap used in head and neck reconstructions, particularly for large maxillary and mandibular defects. Complications, particularly at the donor site, have been well documented. Although it is considered a minor complication, herniation should not be underestimated as it can potentially lead to bowel obstruction, necessitating an emergency operation. We report a case of acute obstruction of the small bowel secondary to herniation at the donor site after harvesting a DCIA free flap for a maxillary defect, a complication that to our knowledge has been reported only once. We review the pathogenesis and possible ways to reduce the likelihood of developing this serious complication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Portsmouth, United Kingdom. neil.tan@gmail.com
authors.forename: Neil C-W
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Peter A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: Asha
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Senapati
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Puxeddu
mesh_terms: D000009:Abdominal Muscles / Q000637:transplantation; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D046449:Hernia, Abdominal / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000637:transplantation; D007085:Ilium; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology*; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000009:adverse effects*