The Development of the Medial Circumflex Femoral Artery Perforator (MCFAP) Flap

Abstract

In the quixotic quest for the “ideal” flap, the major attribute of the medial circumflex femoral artery perforator flap is its minimal donor-site deformity even if primary closure is not possible and a skin graft must be used. This source vessel captures the medial groin skin territory, and therefore sometimes has been referred to as the “medial groin” flap. This flap can be moderately large, the donor site easily hidden by clothing, the flap almost always has at least a single relatively large musculocutaneous perforator, and the location of the vascular pedicle has a consistent location already familiar to most microsurgeons. The history and approach specifically in the development of the medial circumflex femoral artery perforator flap is presented here to explain the rationale as to why this donor site deserves consideration in the hierarchy of cutaneous flap selection.