[Repair of-limb soft tissue defect with free deep inferior epigastric perforator flap].

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To report the clinical application results of free deep inferior epigastric perforator flap in the repair of soft tissue defect. METHODS: From January 2006 to January 2012,13 patients with soft tissue defect (7 cases in leg and 6 cases in forearm) underwent reconstruction with a free deep inferior epigastric perforator flap. There were 9 males and 4 females, aged from 21 to 45 years old with an average of 33 years. Soft tissue defect in the extremities were from 7 cm x 17 cm to 8 cm x 26 cm. The medial branch and lateral brangh flaps were 7 cases and 6 cases respectively. The donor site was closed directly. RESULTS: One patient developed small wound dehiscence, which spontaneous healed at one month after surgery. All the flaps had survived completely. Follow-up period ranged from 1.8 to 4.0 years with the mean of 2.8 years postoperatively. Satisfactory clinical results were obtained in 12 cases. A good contour was confirmed at the recipient area. CONCLUSION: The free deep inferior epigastric perforator flap for the extremities defects of soft tissue is a good option. This technique is safe and reliable, and can decrease the injury of donor site.