Versatility of Paraumbilical Perforator Flap for Upper Limb Reconstruction

Abstract

Background Microvascular flap and groin flap are the most commonly used flaps for upper limb reconstruction. Microvascular flap can not be done in certain situations and groin flap is not convenient for coverage of forearm defect and elbow defect. Paraumbilical perforator (pup) flaps can provide a large amount of tissue for coverage of forearm , elbow defects and mitigates the side effects of groin flap. Material and method A retrospective study was conducted for reconstruction of soft tissue defects from finger tip to elbow between January 2016 to December 2019 with PUP flaps .Demographic data, size of the defect, etiology ,flap design and flap complication were analysed . Result The age of the patients ranged from 12 years to 56 year with mean age of 29.85 years and SD = 11.073. Male to female ratio was 1.5 : 1 (M=12 , F= 8). Size of the defect varied between 20 cm2 to 288cm2 with mean of 88.1 cm 2 and SD = 29.69 .No of cases with flap dimension < 100 cm 2 (n= 13), and > 100 cm2 (n= 7) . Aetiology of injury included vehicular accidents in 10 patients, machine injury in 2 patients, electrical burns in 6 patients post snake bite ulcer 2 patients. The location of the defect included hands, forearm and the elbow, and fingers.Flap was directed Superolaterally in 18 patients , inferolaterally in one case , and combined medially and laterally in one case. There was no case of complete flap failure. Conclusion Paraumbilical perforator flap can be a safe and reliable option for soft tissue reconstruction in varied areas of upper limb.