Clinical application of deep inferior epigastric perforator flap in repair of soft tissue defects of the calf / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap in the repair of soft tissue defects of the calf.Methods From January,2015 to January,2017,the DIEP flap was used to repair the soft tissue defect of calf in 11 patients,which were 7 males and 4 females,aged 23-62 years,with an average age of 42 years.Among them,there were 5 cases of anterior tibial soft tissue defect and 6 cases of posterior tibial soft tissue defect.The size of soft tissue defects ranged from 9.0 cm×5.0 cm to 32.0 cm×12.0 cm.The wounds were heavily polluted and debridement exploration combined VSD surgery in emergency.After 7 to 14 days,free deep inferior epigastric perforator flap was used to repaire.The flap was cut in the range of 10.0 cm×6.0 cm-34.0 cm×13.0 cm.Nine cases of abdominal donor sutured direct,and a small part of 2 cases to take thigh thick skin graft repair.Results All the flaps survived.In only 1 patient,the distal part of the flap was necrotic and healed after appropriate treatment.Eleven patients were followed-up for 3-18 months (average of 10 months).The shape of the flap was similar to that of the affected area.The texture was soft and not bloated.Conclusion The DIEP flap can provide reliable blood supply,large cutting area and flexible design.It can be used to repair soft tissue defect of calf and obtain satisfactory clinical results.