Versatility of the Microvascular Serratus Anterior Muscle Vascularized Rib Flap (SARIB) for Multifaceted Requirement Reconstructions

Long‐term results after muscle‐rib flap transfer for reconstruction of composite limb defects

“…22 Despite some publications, which considered the vascularized rib as not suitable in long bones reconstruction, and especially in lower limb, 1,6,16,23,24 we continued to use both the serratus anterior-rib flaps (SA-R) and latissimus dorsi-rib (LD-R) flaps in such reconstructions with a big degree of satisfaction. In this report, we present not only the long-term results of some of the cases discussed in some of our previous articles 21,22 but also the results of the cases treated in the last 6 years.…”

The versatility of the thoracodorsal artery based composite flaps with vascularized rib and a systematic review of the literature

“…Five publications were identified that treated a total of 22 patients with a thoracodorsal based composite flap with vascularized rib for infected cranioplasty, osteomyelitis, and brain tumor. A 100% union rate was achieved in all cases but the average time for bone union was not specified in any studies.…”

“…Six studies reporting outcomes following LD/SA flap with vascularized rib, either pedicled or free, for the treatment of humerus (13), radial (3), ulnar (1), metacarpal (12), and phalanx (1) pathologies were identified, representing 30 patients. Diagnoses included post‐traumatic defects (28) and pseudoarthrosis (2).…”

“…Thoracodorsal system–based flaps can adequately restore the shape of the scalp by applying the curve characteristic of the rib and by filling even extensive defect with large muscles. After the first description of this flap in a dog model, several authors have reported successful results in scalp reconstruction with rib‐muscle composite flaps and so far, 22 cases have been reported with a union rate of 100% . Although these promising results, clinical application of this approach has not been done extensively, given the reported risk of complications related to thoracotomy while harvesting ribs …”

The Free Serratus Anterior Flap and Its Cutaneous Component for Reconstruction of the Face: A Series of 27 Cases

“…41,42 In the craniofacial area, it has been used for reconstruction of the scalp/calvaria, 12,26,43,44 cheek and oral lining, 45-47 maxilla, 48,49 mandible, 50 -53 cervical oesophagus, 46 and for facial reanimation. 54 -56 The serratus anterior flap can be used with varying composition of tissue ranging from fascia only, 22,23,57,58 to adipofascial, 26 to muscle, 14 -16,28,37,39 to muscle with bone in the form of either underlying rib 12,21,24,25,31,32,51,56,59 or in conjunction with a scapular bone flap. 22 The serratus anterior muscle has often been transferred along with the latissimus dorsi muscle to reconstruct larger defects.…”