title: Use of angioscanning in the surgical planning of perforator flaps in the lower extremities.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This is one of the few studies in the literature to describe angio-computed tomography (CT) as a planning tool in perforator flap surgery in the lower extremities.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighteen consecutive patients undergoing a perforator flap for lower-extremity reconstruction underwent preoperative CT angiography between September 2007 and November 2009. Eleven received propeller-type flaps, four medial sural artery perforator (MSAP) flaps, two lateral sural artery perforator (LSAP) flaps and one anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Preoperative CT angiography was highly specific (100%) and sensitive in mapping and visualising perforators in the lower limb. There were hardly any flap failures after angio-CT, and operative findings always correlated perfectly with preoperative imaging. Postoperative recoveries were uneventful except in three cases of peroneal artery perforator flaps that presented partial necrosis due to venous congestion.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CT angiography is a valuable imaging tool for the preoperative assessment of the donor-site vascular supply for lower-extremity flaps. We recommend use of preoperative angio-CT for imaging vascular anatomy of the lower limb before defect reconstruction, especially in traumatic patients and patients with peripheral vascular disease. Its use can also reduce intra-operative dissection time and minimises surgical error in the identification of the vascular anatomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, Bellvitge Hospital, Barcelona, Spain. chigueras@bellvitgehospital.cat
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Higueras Suñé
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: López Ojeda
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Narváez García
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: De Albert De Las Vigo
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Roca Mas
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Perez Sidelnikova
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carrasco López
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Palacin Porte
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Serra Payró
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Viñals
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000792:Angiography; D003287:Contrast Media; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007479:Iopamidol; D007483:Iothalamic Acid; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D007483:Iothalamic Acid; D007479:Iopamidol