Paraumbilical perforator flap without deep inferior epigastric vessels

Abstract

With the introduction of supramicrosurgery, a new paraumbilical perforator flap without a deep inferior epigastric vessel and with very small perforator anastomoses was used for nine patients. The abdominal defects of two patients, the lower leg or foot defects of five patients, and the scalp defects of two patients were repaired with an island perforator flap. The advantages of the paraumbilical perforator flap are as follows: (1) there is a very short operating time for flap elevation; (2) there is no invasion or sacrifice of any rectus abdominis muscle; (3) for middle-aged, obese patients, the donor site may be the best from the cosmetic point of view; (4) many small recipient vessels to anastomose the perforator exist throughout the body; (5) a thin skin flap with adequate thickness can be created easily with simultaneous removal of fatty tissue; (6) secondary defatting around the perforator can be done by minor surgery under local anesthesia; and (7) a vascularized adiposal flap with adequate thickness can be created easily. This flap seems to be indicated for female patients with defects in the abdominal wall and the lower leg. The island flap can easily resurface abdominal skin defects, such as intestinal fistula or radiation ulcers. The free flap is suitable for covering defects in the lower leg, foot, and scalp temporarily before administration of a tissue expander.