Medial Circumflex Femoral Artery Perforator Research Articles

Perineoscrotal reconstruction following fournier's gangrene using the upper medial thigh perforator flap

Background: Fournier's gangrene (FG) is a synergistic necrotizing fasciitis that involves the genitalia, perineum, or anal region and can be life threatening and generally necessitates urgent surgical intervention. It often causes scrotal defects that require reconstruction after surgical debridement. The reconstruction of these serious scrotal defects poses certain challenges for surgeons. In this study, reconstruction of scrotal defects caused by FG with medial circumflex femoral artery perforator (MCFAP) flap evaluated. Patients and Methods: Seventeen patients with FG reconstructed using a MCFAP flap, admitted to our hospital between February 2003 and March 2017, are included in this study. Reconstruction with MCFAP flap results, mean debridement number, comorbid diseases, and length of hospital stay are analyzed together. Patients with FG reconstructed using techniques other than MCFAP were not included in this study. Results: Eighteen MCFAP flaps were performed in 17 patients. The mean duration of operation was 2 h 55 min. Diabetes mellitus was the most common comorbid disease. The mean days of hospital stay were 19.9. Total flap loss was not seen in 17 patients. Donor area of the flap is closed primarily, by V-Y advancement flaps or by split-thickness skin grafts. Acceptable cosmetic results and scrotal contours were obtained in all patients. No major complications were observed. Conclusions: Using a MCFAP flap, a method that has minimal donor site morbidity, requires single session surgery, provides good skin quality and color similar to the scrotum, is an easy-to-perform process, proving to be a reliable flap for scrotal reconstruction.

Erratum to: Breast reconstruction using free medial circumflex femoral artery perforator flaps: intraoperative anatomic study and clinical results.

A free fascioadipocutaneous flap obtained from the medial thigh is suitable for breast reconstruction in Asian women with a small-to-moderate breast size. In this region, both a medial circumflex femoral artery perforator flap (MCFAp flap) and a posterior medial thigh perforator flap (PMTp flap) are options, based on perforators from the deep femoral vessels. Here, we evaluated the anatomic basis of the medial circumflex femoral artery (MCFA) perforators from the medial circumflex femoral vessels. Between July 2010 and June 2014, 53 patients (55 flaps) underwent breast reconstruction using a fascioadipocutaneous flap from the medial thigh. MCFA perforators larger than or equal to 0.5 mm in this region were investigated. The following parameters were recorded intraoperatively: number of perforators, perforator locations, distance of the perforating point from the proximal thigh crease and anterior border of the gracilis muscle. The total number of perforators was 131, with a mean of 2.4. The number of perforators coursing through the gracilis muscle (gracilis perforators) was the largest, followed by septocutaneous perforator coursing between the adductor longus and gracilis muscle. The average perforating point was located 6.5 cm below the proximal thigh crease and 2.2 cm from the anterior border of the gracilis muscle. Of the 102 procedures performed since 2006, 15 flaps were elevated as MCFAp flaps and there was no major complication. In some cases, MCFA perforators are dominant in this region compared to PMT perforators. A perforator map can be helpful for identifying adequate MCFA perforators intraoperatively.

Breast reconstruction using free medial circumflex artery perforator flaps: intraoperative anatomic study and clinical results

A free fascioadipocutaneous flap obtained from the medial thigh is suitable for breast reconstruction in Asian women with a small-to-moderate breast size. In this region, both a medial circumflex femoral artery perforator flap (MCFAp flap) and a posterior medial thigh perforator flap (PMTp flap) are options, based on perforators from the deep femoral vessels. Here, we evaluated the anatomic basis of the medial circumflex femoral artery (MCFA) perforators from the medial circumflex femoral vessels. Between July 2010 and June 2014, 53 patients (55 flaps) underwent breast reconstruction using a fascioadipocutaneous flap from the medial thigh. MCFA perforators larger than or equal to 0.5mm in this region were investigated. The following parameters were recorded intraoperatively: number of perforators, perforator locations, distance of the perforating point from the proximal thigh crease and anterior border of the gracilis muscle. The total number of perforators was 131, with a mean of 2.4. The number of perforators coursing through the gracilis muscle (gracilis perforators) was the largest, followed by septocutaneous perforator coursing between the adductor longus and gracilis muscle. The average perforating point was located 6.5cm below the proximal thigh crease and 2.2cm from the anterior border of the gracilis muscle. Of the 102 procedures performed since 2006, 15 flaps were elevated as MCFAp flaps and there was no major complication. In some cases, MCFA perforators are dominant in this region compared to PMT perforators. A perforator map can be helpful for identifying adequate MCFA perforators intraoperatively.

Immediate reconstruction using free medial circumflex femoral artery perforator flaps after breast-conserving surgery

Recent advances in perforator flap surgical techniques have allowed for safe and reliable autologous tissue transfer with minimal donor-site morbidity. Between April 2012 and January 2013, we performed immediate breast reconstruction using free medial circumflex femoral artery perforator (MCFAP) flaps in 15 patients after breast-conserving surgery. The flaps were harvested from patients in the lithotomy position, while a second surgical team simultaneously conducted tumour resection. Of the 15 procedures performed, three flaps were dissected as true perforator flaps, while 12 flaps were dissected as muscle-sparing perforator flaps. The mean flap weight was 138.5 g (range, 77-230 g) and the mean pedicle length was 5.7 cm (range, 3.0-9.0 cm). Recipient vessels for anastomosis were serratus branches in 10 patients, internal mammary vessels in three patients and thoracodorsal vessels in two patients. The mean duration of surgery was 6.74 h (range, 5.65-9.45 h). There were no major complications requiring surgical intervention. Researchers observed partial flap necrosis, which manifested as small firm lesions in two patients, as well as local wound infection and dehiscence in one patient, which resolved spontaneously. There were no instances of donor-site seroma formation or lymphoedema in any of the patients. An objective assessment of postoperative photographs showed that cosmetic results were mostly satisfactory. Donor-site scars along the medial groin crease were inconspicuous and readily concealed by clothing. Given its reliable vascularity and minimal donor-site morbidity, the free MCFAP flap can be a good alternative for partial breast reconstruction after breast-conserving surgery.

Islanded Perforator Flaps in the Reconstruction of Hidradenitis Suppurativa Defects

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a recurrent, chronic, and suppurative cutaneous disease of unknown etiology. Radical excision of all affected skin followed by flap coverage of the defect is the treatment method of choice in severe and recurrent cases. This study discusses the use of local islanded perforator flaps in the reconstruction of defects following excision of hidradenitis suppurativa lesions in axillary, gluteal, and inguinal regions. Eleven male patients (mean age of 39.3 years) underwent reconstruction of hidradenitis suppurativa defects with 13 local islanded perforator flaps. Three patients (one being bilateral) had gluteal, two patients (one being bilateral) had inguinal, and six patients had axillary involvement. The defects in the gluteal region were repaired with superior gluteal artery perforator flaps, inguinal defects were repaired with medial circumflex femoral artery perforator flaps, and the axillary defects were repaired with thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps. There was no total flap loss in the postoperative period, but one marginal necrosis and two wound infections occurred. There was no recurrence of hidradenitis suppurativa or revision requirement during the mean follow-up period of 11.5 months.

Microsurgical Reconstruction In Pediatric Patients: A Series Of 30 Patients

Free flap surgery in the pediatric population has gained widespread acceptance regarding its technical utility and reliability. Initial concerns as to the feasibility and reliability of the procedure in children were resolved over time. Thirty children (15 boys, 15 girls) were treated in Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Clinic. Their mean age was 10.8 years. Defects were located on the lower extremity (n=22), head and neck (n=5) and upper extremity (n=3). The etiologies of the defects included vehicle accident, sequelae of burn, traumatic contractures, crush injury, epulis in the maxilla, and gunshot wound. The free flaps performed in our series were latissimus dorsi muscle flap, combined latissimus dorsi and serratus muscle flaps, serratus anterior muscle flap, cross latissimus dorsi muscle flap, scapular osteomyocutaneous flap, parascapular fasciocutaneous flap, fibular osteocutaneous flap, anterolateral thigh flap, medial circumflex femoral artery perforator flap, and crista iliaca osteocutaneous flap. The advantages of free flaps in children, which include better adaptation of the flap growth and better learning capacity of the children, provide the surgeon with more satisfactory functional and aesthetic results.

Superiority of Medial Circumflex Femoral Artery Perforator Flap in Scrotal Reconstruction

Scrotal skin has unique cosmetic and functional features that make its reconstruction difficult. Coverage of the testicles and constituting a good cosmetic appearance are major expectations from a successful reconstruction. Usually flaps are the choice for scrotal reconstruction, but every single flap has its own characteristics. In our series, between January 2006 and January 2010, the medial circumflex femoral artery perforator flap was used in 7 male patients for scrotal coverage after Fournier gangrene. Six flaps were raised based on a single perforator from the gracilis muscle; however in one flap 2 perforators were used. Flaps were carried to the defect either by transposition or by V-Y advancement. Donor areas were closed directly in all patients, and stable scrotal coverage was achieved with an acceptable scrotal contour and cosmesis. No major complication was seen due the perforator flap surgery, in 2 patients wound dehiscence were noted and they healed by secondary intention or by secondary suturing. For scrotal reconstruction, the medial circumflex femoral artery perforator flap is a good option with its good mobility, thinness for scrotal contour, possibility for muscle preservation, and direct closure of the donor site. All these advantages can be accomplished in 1 procedure.

Perineoscrotal reconstruction using a medial circumflex femoral artery perforator flap

Major scrotal defects may result from infection due to Fournier's gangrene, excision of scrotal skin diseases, traumatic avulsion of scrotal and penile skin, and genital burns. The wide spectrum of bacterial flora of the perineum, difficulty in providing immobilisation, and obtaining a natural contour of the testes make testicular cover very difficult. Various methods have been reported to cover the penoscrotal area, including skin grafting, transposing them to medial thigh skin, and use of local fasciocutaneous or musculocutaneous flaps. In this report, reconstruction using six local medial circumflex femoral artery perforator (MCFAP) flaps was undertaken in five male patients (mean age, 47 years) with complex penoscrotal or perineal wounds. The cause of the wounds in four patients was Fournier's gangrene, and was a wide papillomateous lesion in the other patient. Flap width was 6-10 cm and flap length was 10-18 cm. The results showed that a MCFAP flap provided the testes with a pliable local flap without being bulky and also protected the testicle without increasing the temperature. The other advantage of the MCFAP flap was that the donor-site scar could be concealed in the gluteal crease. Our results demonstrated that the MCFAP flap is an ideal local flap for covering penoscrotal defects.

Medial Circumflex Femoral Artery Perforator Flap in a Seven-Year-Old Boy for a Degloving Ankle Injury: A case report in immediate reconstruction

Degloving injuries and high-energy trauma of distal lower extremity is fortunately rare in children and there are a limited number of articles that have been written about microsurgical management of these injuries. In the pediatric population, it was realized that free flaps could be safely used in the treatment of soft-tissue defects. First, critical issues as to the feasibility and reliability of the intervention in children were rapidly overcome as it was realized that the relative size of the pedicle vessels is larger in children than that in adults. The same holds true for the perforator vessels; although they can be relatively small in children, their relative size compared with the size of the child’s body is greater than that in adults. In this case report, a 7 year-old boy sustained a severe mangling, crushing type injury of his right ankle in an elevator-door related accident. He sustained a degloving injury of the anterolateral aspect of the ankle, an ipsilateral tarsal fracture and ankle subluxation. We have confirmed the versatility and safety of the medial circumflex femoral artery perforator flap in this type of injury within the first 24-hours after the injury. Without undermining, the donor site was closed directly in an almost linear scaring the gluteal fold that can be easily concealed. We found the medial circumflex femoral artery perforator flap is one of safe and suitable flap choice in children who have a defect on the distal one third of tibia in the acute period of trauma.

Scrotal Reconstruction Following Fournier Gangrene Using the Medial Circumflex Femoral Artery Perforator Flap

Fournier gangrene can have devastating consequences. Often in the male, the testicles become exposed and demand both a functional and esthetic coverage. Local medial thigh cutaneous flaps usually still are available and have evolved to become a preferred solution. The medial circumflex femoral artery perforator (MCFAP) flap based on musculocutaneous perforators of the gracilis muscle represents yet another one of these options. As with all muscle perforator flaps, no muscle need be expended. A case report illustrates the role of the MCFAP flap for creation of a neoscrotum.

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

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.