Superficial Circumflex Iliac Artery Perforator Flap for Reconstruction of Limb Defects

Abstract

The superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) flap differs from the established groin flap in that it is nourished by only a perforator of the superficial circumflex iliac system and has a short segment (3 to 4 cm in length) of this vascular system. Three cases in which free superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flaps were successfully transferred for coverage of soft-tissue defects in the limb are described in this article. The advantages of this flap are as follows: no need for deeper and longer dissection for the pedicle vessel, a shorter flap elevation time, possible thinning of the flap with primary defatting, the possibility of an adiposal flap with customized thickness for tissue augmentation, a concealed donor site, minimal donor-site morbidity, and the availability of a large cutaneous vein as a venous drainage system. The disadvantages are the need for dissection for a smaller perforator and an anastomosing technique for small-caliber vessels of less than 1.0 mm.

Reconstruction of Postburn Contracture of First Web Space of the Hand

“…Our results were consistent with those of Koshima et al, [18] .who performed a groin flap in the coverage of 65 patients with post-burn deformed dorsum of the hand.…”

Hearing Preservation after Lateral Temporal Bone Resection for Early-Stage External Auditory Canal Carcinoma

“…As early-stage carcinoma of the EAC can be generally cured by LTBR without postoperative radiotherapy, preservation of hearing ability and improvement in the QOL should be considered in selecting the treatment process [Hoshikawa et al, 2012;Iida et al, 2013;Koshima et al, 2004;Zhang et al, 2013]. In the absence of tumor invasion of the middle ear, it is possible to carefully separate the incus from the incudostapedial joint and preserve the stapes.…”

“…Reconstruction of the EAC involves various techniques such as the creation of local-pedicled flaps, free flaps and skin grafts [Bell, 1988;Hoshikawa et al, 2012;Iida et al, 2013;Koshima et al, 2004]. As local flaps are limited in terms of size and mobility, it is difficult to reconstruct the entire EAC and cover a circumferential defect with a single local flap, necessitating dual local flaps or the concomitant use of skin grafting [Bell, 1988].…”

“…Considering the good survival rates for early-stage EAC carcinoma, reconstruction of the EAC with tympanoplasty after tumor resection has been performed to preserve hearing ability and improve patient quality of life (QOL) [Hoshikawa et al, 2012;Iida et al, 2013;Koshima et al, 2004;Zhang et al, 2013]. However, conductive hearing loss may worsen after lateral temporal bone resection (LTBR) due to postoperative complications such as chronic infection, bone exposure, stenosis and closure of the EAC [Iida et al, 2013;Zhang et al, 2013].…”

“…However, conductive hearing loss may worsen after lateral temporal bone resection (LTBR) due to postoperative complications such as chronic infection, bone exposure, stenosis and closure of the EAC [Iida et al, 2013;Zhang et al, 2013]. To prevent these adverse events, several methods, such as the use of a local flap, free flap or skin graft, have been reported [Bell, 1988;Hoshikawa et al, 2012;Iida et al, 2013;Koshima et al, 2004]. Meanwhile, the details of postoperative hearing ability for patients with EAC carcinoma have not been well described in the literature.…”