title: Reconstruction of soft tissue defect of the extremity with the perforator flap from inguinal region.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The perforator flap has become a very useful reconstructive means of soft tissue defect of extremities. The perforator flap from the inguinal region has advantages that include the ability to cover a large area with little donor site morbidity and provision of suitable thickness for reconstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  From July 1, 2005 to June 30, 2007, 10 patients with various types of soft tissue defect underwent reconstruction with 10 perforator flaps from the inguinal region. Six flaps were applied to the upper extremities and four flaps to the lower extremities. The dimensions of the transferred flaps ranged from 7-30 cm in length and 4-10 cm in width.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The postoperative course of all 10 flaps was uneventful and all flaps survived. Distal small partial necrosis was observed in one case due to arterial insufficiency of the distal part of the flap. All patients were satisfied with the functional and esthetic resurfacing outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Use of perforator flap from the inguinal region could overcome the disadvantages of the traditional free groin flap, and represents a safe and useful tool for coverage of soft tissue defects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, No. 2 People's Hospital of Guangdong Province, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China. dong-177@163.com
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Hai-wen
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Hong-gang
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Wei-zhi
authors.initials: WZ
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Cheng-yi
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Zhao
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005121:Extremities / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps