Introducing the Septocutaneous Gluteal Artery Perforator Flap

Abstract

Sir:FigureWe would like to react to the Letter by Rad et al. in the August of 2011 issue of the Journal1 about our article “Introducing the Septocutaneous Gluteal Artery Perforator Flap: A Simplified Approach to Microsurgical Breast Reconstruction.”2 We are happy that more groups in the world have interest in the superior gluteal artery perforator flap, particularly if based on septocutaneous perforators. We would like to add that the first anatomical work, “Superior Gluteal Artery Perforator Flap Based on Septal Perforators: Preliminary Study,” was presented at the Fourth Congress of the World Society for Reconstructive Microsurgery in Athens, Greece in 2007 and published in November of 2008.3 We believe that cooperation with other groups can be very fruitful and therefore decided to share and publish our clinical experience with the group of Dr. Allen. In this line, it is of extreme importance to share and join experiences leading to the best qualified scientific work, which results in the best outcomes for patients. We will be very happy in the future to join our experience and data with Dr. Rad. Stefania Tuinder, M.D. René Van Der Hulst, M.D., Ph.D. Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, The Netherlands