Clinical application of thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps / 中华整形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyses the clinical application of thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps (TAP).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We used free or pedicled TAP flaps in 7 patients from Aug 2006 to April 2007, The age ranged from 7 to 42 years old, the perforator arteries was detected and labeled with a hand held Doppler flowmeter, the size of flaps ranged from 6 cm x 9 cm - 12 cm x 16 cm, the flaps designed with perforator artery included, all the flaps are based on the first perforator artery.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the flaps survived well, no complication occurred with lowest donor site morbidity.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The thoracodorsal artery flap with latissimus dorsal muscle saved is a thin and reliable flaps with robust of blood supply, the flap can reduce significantly donor site morbidity and is a good choice for reconstructive surgery.</p>