title: Modification of the Elevation Plane and Defatting Technique to Create a Thin Thoracodorsal Artery Perforator Flap.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Perforator flaps have been used extensively in the field of reconstruction, and the thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flap is very popular. However, the perforator flap can be relatively bulky in some cases, depending on the defect's location. Thus, several methods have been developed to address this bulkiness, including modification of the flap elevation, application of an ultrathin flap using microdissection, and the defatting technique. However, these methods have various disadvantages, so we developed an adjustable thin TDAP flap using modification of the flap elevation and defatting technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between January 2012 and February 2015, 13 patients underwent reconstruction of defects of their upper and lower extremities using TDAP flaps. We measured all the flap dimensions, except for thickness, because it was adjusted for the target defect.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean flap size was 94 cm(2) (range: 48-210 cm(2)), and all flaps were ≤10 cm wide to facilitate primary donor-site closure. Two subjects with a history of diabetes exhibited partial flap loss, so we performed secondary skin graft surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The TDAP flap elevation was modified at the superficial fascia plane, and the defatting technique was used to adjust the flap volume. This technique provided more natural contours and minimized the need for secondary debulking.
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, South Korea.
authors: Kyu Nam
authors: KN
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea.
authors: Joon Pio
authors: JP
authors: Hong
authors: University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Institute for Life Science, Seoul, South Korea.
authors: Chae Ri
authors: CR
authors: Park
authors: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, South Korea.
authors: Chi Sun
authors: CS
authors: Yoon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000792:Angiography; D005260:Female; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods*; D055806:Microvessels / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D061525:Perforator Flap / Q000098:blood supply*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013895:Thoracic Arteries / Q000637:transplantation*