Application of the Superficial Circumflex Iliac Artery Perforator Flap

Abstract

The authors presented the concept of the superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) flap and its utility. Traditionally, when there is a conventional groin flap, the belief is that the pedicle must be dissected close to the femoral artery, and that the whole length of the pedicle be included in the flap. Relying on experience, the essential pedicle of a groin flap is assumed to be not the superficial circumflex iliac artery (SCIA) itself, but a dominant perforator of the superficial or deep branch of the SCIA system. This perforator is responsible for the vascular territory of the groin flap. The authors believe that there are complementary relations between the superficial branch and the deep branch of SCIA. When the superficial branch is short or absent, the long and large deep branch can be detected, and when the superficial branch is very long and large, the deep branch is usually short and small. Of course, if both branches have dominant perforators, a two-vascular pedicle flap can be created. The proximal and distal portions of the perforator division of the SCIA system are transected, and a SCIP flap can be obtained with a small segment of SCIA.