Supermicrosurgical free sensate superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap for reconstruction of a soft tissue defect of the ankle in a 1-year-old child.

Abstract

Although a superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) flap has recently been widely used owing to its various advantages, reports on its use in the pediatric population are limited. A case of a supermicrosurgical reconstruction of a soft tissue defect of the ankle associated with the congenital deficiency of the tibia using a free sensate SCIP flap in a 1-year-old child has been presented. The correction of the valgus deformity of the ankle resulted in a soft tissue defect, which required flap coverage. The lateral cutaneous branch of the intercostal nerve of the flap was coapted with the deep peroneal nerve for sensory recovery. Postoperative course was uneventful and the flap completely survived. The patient was able to ambulate independently at 7 months after surgery. To the best of our knowledge, this is the youngest case of a SCIP flap transfer in literature. This case showed that young age is not a contraindication for SCIP flap transfer. It is believed that the SCIP flap procedure may be a useful option for free flap reconstruction in children.