Clinical Applications of the Thoracodorsal Artery Perforator Flap in Extremity Soft Tissue Reconstruction

Abstract

Introduction: For a long time, the free or pedicled thoracodorsalartery perforator (TDAP) flaps were used for reconstructionof large cutaneous defects. These may be regionalsoft tissue defects of trunk, axilla and breast where the pedicledflap used, or distant tissue defects of face, elbow, forearmand lower extremity where the free TDAP flap is used.Aim of the Study: This study aimed to evaluate the clinicalapplications of the thoracodorsal artery perforator flap (TDAP)either free or pedicled in the reconstruction of soft tissuedefects of extremities.Patients and Methods: This study was conducted on 20patients admitted to the Plastic Surgery Departments of bothTanta & Al Azhar Universities during the period from September2015 to December 2017. These patients were presentedby extremity soft tissue defects that required a flap reconstruction.Results: The results showed that the TDAP flap is aversatile and robust flap in soft tissue reconstruction of theextremities. This flap has great advantages as a long vascularpedicle; large skin paddle can be harvested, minimal donorsite morbidity and thin skin paddle to resurface shallowdefects. The TDAP flap showed also some drawbacks likemeticulous and time-consuming dissection of the perforators,donor site scar widening.