title: Perforator flap from proximal lateral leg for head and neck reconstruction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Perforator flap transfer has the benefits of minimal donor site morbidity and customization in design. This study reports on the proximal lateral leg perforator (PLLP) flap transfer for head and neck reconstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2000 through December 2009, 18 patients underwent head and neck reconstruction with the PLLP flap, including 16 males and 2 females ranging in age between 32 and 80 years old. The mean follow-up time was 9.8 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mother vessels of PLLP flaps can arise 77.8% (14/18) from the peroneal system, 11.1% (2/18) from the posterior tibial system, or 11.1% (2/18) from the common popliteal system. The skin dimension ranges from 4 cm × 7 cm to 6.5 cm × 18 cm. The mean of the perforator size is 1.96 mm (1.5 mm to 2.3 mm). The mean of the pedicle length is 6.96 cm (4.5 cm to 10 cm). All flaps survived completely except one flap that had partial necrosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The PLLP flap for head and neck reconstruction offers versatility in design, diverse tissues for composition, a two-team approach, and negligible donor site morbidity, and it spares major vessels. The unpredictable pedicle length and the feasibility for microvascular anastomosis in the perforator level can be adapted with further experience and refining techniques.
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chia Yi, Taiwan.
authors: Chang-Cheng
authors: CC
authors: Chang
authors: Wei-Chao
authors: WC
authors: Huang
authors: Jeng-Yee
authors: JY
authors: Lin
authors: Yen-Chun
authors: YC
authors: Lin
authors: Wen-Hung
authors: WH
authors: Wang
authors: Fu-Chan
authors: FC
authors: Wei
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D004210:Dissection / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006085:Graft Survival; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery; D009336:Necrosis; D009957:Oroantral Fistula / Q000601:surgery; D061525:Perforator Flap / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery* / Q000637:transplantation; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012867:Skin / Q000098:blood supply; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000473:pathology; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods; D060053:Transplant Donor Site / Q000601:surgery*; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000209:etiology