title: Reconstruction of the Wide Scalp Defects Using Free Latissimus Dorsi Flap Assisted With Arteriovenous Loop.
abstract: Reconstructions of the wide scalp defects are still a challenging task because of the accompanied recipient vessel issues. Arteriovenous loop (AVL) grafts are a suitable vascular conduit that can be used to support free tissue transfer, when adjacent blood supply is inadequate. We report 2 patients of successful wide scalp reconstruction, using a free latissimus dorsi (LD) flap assisted with AVL. Both flaps and AVL grafts fully survived postoperatively. No complications related to the recipient and donor areas developed. The flaps obtained a durable barrier and an acceptable aesthetic appearance. We believe that AVL can be a useful adjunct for increasing the success rate of wide scalp reconstructions with inadequate adjacent arterial inflow or venous outflow. The free LD flap is a good option with its wide surface, rich vascularity and relatively low donor morbidity in such reconstructions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ataturk University, Erzurum, Turkey.
authors.forename: Onder
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Tan
authors.forename: Hakan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cinal
authors.forename: Said
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Algan
authors.forename: Ensar Zafer
authors.initials: EZ
authors.lastname: Barin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001166:Arteriovenous Shunt, Surgical; D005145:Face / Q000098:blood supply; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000637:transplantation; D012535:Scalp / Q000098:blood supply / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D064171:Superficial Back Muscles / Q000098:blood supply / Q000637:transplantation*; D060053:Transplant Donor Site / Q000601:surgery