Locoregional use of lateral thoracic artery perforator flap as a propeller flap.

Although thoracodorsal system is a fundamental source of various flaps, lateral thoracic region has not been a popular flap donor area. There is limited data on the use of lateral intercostal artery perforator flap and lateral thoracic artery perforator flap. In this case series, lateral thoracic artery perforator flap has been used in locoregional (axilla, pectoral region, and arm) reconstruction as an island or propeller flap.Eighteen patients have been operated on between September 2010 and January 2013. The age of the patients ranged between 16 and 68 years with a median of 38 years. A thorough chart review has been performed with preoperative and postoperative photographs. Duration of hospitalization, complication rate and long term results have been documented.Nine patients had severe burn contracture of axilla, 7 patients had axillary hidradenitis suppurativa, 1 patient had giant neurofibroma of arm, and 1 patient had malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor of pectoral area. Seventeen flaps survived totally, and in 1 flap, distal superficial slough of skin has been observed. No recurrence in hidradenitis or peripheral nerve sheath tumor has been observed. Donor site scar is well hidden in anatomical position. The range of motion of affected extremities returned to normal after reconstruction.Lateral thoracic area provides a reliable flap option with a wide arc of rotation when lateral thoracic artery perforators are used.

A reliable method for treatment of nonhealing ulcers in the hindfoot and midfoot region in diabetic patients: reconstruction with abductor digiti minimi muscle flap.

The foot has a unique anatomic composition and a perfect architecture, which is necessary for mobilization. However, this complex structure is also responsible for healing problems in foot reconstruction. After 25 years of experience in diabetic foot surgery practice, we observed that some hindfoot ulcers are like an iceberg in that they have much more involvement in the plantar fat pad than the skin, and the lateral midfoot region is a common site for ulcer formation. Also the fifth tarsometatarsal joint region is a prominent anatomic structure vulnerable to repetitive trauma and ulcer formation that may easily spread to other parts of the foot. These ulcers should be reconstructed with well-vascularized tissues such as muscle flaps after debridement. Between 2003 and 2010, 17 diabetic patients with foot ulcers, involving bone and joint, were reconstructed with abductor digiti minimi muscle flap. When it is needed, the flap is covered with a small split-thickness skin graft. In all cases, complete healing was achieved. The muscle flap functioned well as a versatile and shock absorbent coverage without recurrence of the ulcer during a mean follow-up period of around 2 years. Diabetic foot ulcers should be evaluated and treated individually depending on their location and affected tissue composition. The most appropriate reconstructive option should be selected for each lesion. The abductor digiti minimi muscle flap is extremely useful for the reconstruction of small- to moderate-sized defects that have exposed bone, joint, or tendons in the hindfoot and lateral plantar midfoot.