Summary
Perforator-based propeller flaps permit flap rotation up to 180°. This ability to
transfer skin from one longitudinal axis to another has led to the increasing use
of perforator-based propeller flaps in extremity reconstruction, especially lower-extremity
reconstruction. However, the application of perforator-based propeller flaps to upper-extremity
reconstruction is still limited. This article reports two cases of successful reconstruction
of elbow region defects with radial collateral artery perforator (RCAP)-based propeller
flaps.
The elbow region has a variety of perforators available for perforator-based propeller
flap reconstruction. Among them, the RCAP seems to be one of the most reliable options.
This is because there are less anatomical variations of perforators' location on the
lateral upper arm than on the medial upper arm. By using an RCAP perforator as a flap
pedicle, the small-to-medium sized defects (<6 cm in diameter) around elbow regions
can be closed primarily without skin grafts.
Keywords
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References
- The “Tokyo” consensus on propeller flaps.Plast Reconstr Surg. 2011; 127: 716-722
- Application of multidetector-row computed tomography in propeller flap planning.Plast Reconstr Surg. 2011; 127: 703-711
- Clinical applications of perforator based propeller flaps in upper limb soft tissue reconstruction.J Hand Surg Am. 2011; 36: 853-863
- Reconstruction of limb soft-tissue defects: using pedicle perforator flaps with preservation of major vessels, a report of 45 cases.Injury. 2008; 39: 55-66
- Local perforator flaps in soft tissue reconstruction of the upper limb.Handchir Mikrochir Plast Chir. 2009; 41: 315-321
- Lateral arm flap: analysis of its anatomy and modification using a vascularized fragment of the distal humerus.Clin Anat. 2003; 16: 204-214
- Cutaneous perforators of the upper arm and clinical applications.J Reconstr Microsurg. 2005; 21: 463-469
- Versatility of the reverse lateral arm flap in the treatment of post-burn antecubital contractures.Burns. 2005; 31: 212-216
- The perforator pedicled propeller (PPP) flap method: report of two cases.J Nihon Med Sch. 2007; 74: 367-371
Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 01, 2012
Accepted:
March 8,
2012
Received:
January 22,
2012
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
