Free anteromedial thigh perforator flap: Complementing and completing the anterolateral thigh flap.

OBJECTIVE: Theobjective of this study was to determine the indications, utility, advantages and surgical approach for the anteromedial thigh (AMT) flap. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed the records of the patients in whom the AMT flap was used for head and neck reconstruction. We use an anterior approach to harvest the anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap with a non-committal straight line incision. This preserves both ALT and AMT flap territories intact, and further decision is based on the intraoperative anatomy of perforator and pedicle. The ALT flap was usually used as the first choice when available and suitable. RESULTS: Free AMT skin flaps were harvested in 24 patients. All flaps were used for the head and neck reconstruction. Two flaps had marginal flap necrosis. One flap was lost due to venous thrombosis. DISCUSSION: The thigh is an excellent donor site as it has large available skin territory, expendable lateral circumflex femoral artery system and low donorsite morbidity. The ALT flap is the most commonly used flap for reconstruction of soft-tissue defects. However, it is characterised by variable vascular pedicle and perforator anatomy. The AMT flap is an excellent alternative when the ALT flap is not available due to variable perforator anatomy, injury to perforator, when an intermediate thickness is needed between distal and proximal thigh or a chimeric flap is needed. CONCLUSION: The AMT flap offers all the advantages of the ALT flap without increasing donor-site morbidity. The anterior non-committal approach keeps both the ALT and the AMT flap options viable.

Awareness and Acceptability of Breast Reconstruction Among Women With Breast Cancer: A Prospective Survey.

PURPOSE: Quality of life has become an integral aspect of the management of breast cancer. Many women still need to undergo a modified radical mastectomy (MRM). Factors affecting the choice a woman makes to undergo breast reconstruction (BR) are unclear and are hypothesized to be influenced by socioeconomic factors. We conducted a survey to evaluate the awareness and acceptability of BR among women with breast cancer at our institution. METHODS: A novel questionnaire was designed and served to 3 groups of women: planned for MRM, follow up (FU) post-MRM, and FU post breast-conserving surgery. RESULTS: Responses were analyzed from 492 women. Of these, 280 (56.91%) were planned for MRM and 212 (43.08%) women were on FU. Almost 45% women were older than 50 years of age, and literacy rate was 87.6%. More than 70% were homemakers and 15 women (3%) were unmarried. The aspects evaluating awareness of BR suggested that 251 (51.01%) women had knowledge about BR. Major source of information was the surgeon (45.81%) and media (32.87%). About 80% women on FU post-MRM did not want reconstruction, and 55% did not opt for BR as they had coped with the mastectomy and did not feel the need for BR. Only 6% cited family or financial reasons and 10% cited recurrence concerns. Among women planned for surgery, 65.71% had not considered BR. When questioned, 25 (12.88%) felt influenced by cost, 102 (52.58%) felt they did not need it, and 20 (10.31%) were worried it would affect treatment. CONCLUSION: Our study shows high awareness regarding BR, but only 27.89% women opt for BR independent of economic issues. We recommend all patients should be counseled about the reconstructive options when their MRM is planned.

Perfurador baseado em transposição de retalho estenocelidomastoide para defeitos da região posterior do pescoço: uma nova alternativa / Perforator based sternocleidomastoid transposition flap for nape of neck defect: a novel option

Retalhos do músculo esternocleidomastoideo têm sido descritos na literatura para reconstrução dos defeitos da cavidade oral e tratamento da síndrome de Frey. Apesar de largamente estudado, esses retalhos não são utilizados com frequência para reconstruções na região de cabeça e pescoço devido limitações como tamanho reduzido, camadas inseguras, contorno da deformidade no pescoço e questões de segurança oncológica. Relata-se uso de perfurador baseado em transposição de retalho para defeito na região da posterior do pescoço, seguido por excisão de sarcoma de partes moles. Trata-se de alternativa válida para procedimentos de reconstrução como retalhos regionais de pedículo ou transferência de tecido livre em um grupo apropriado de pacientes.

Sternocleidomastoid musculocutaneous flaps have been described in the literature for reconstruction of oral cavity defects and treatment of Frey's syndrome. Although widely studied, it is not used routinely in head and neck reconstruction due to limitations like small size, unreliable skin paddle, contour deformity in the neck and the question of oncologic safety. We report use of perforator based musculocutaneous transposition flap for defect over nape of the neck, followed by excision of a soft tissue sarcoma. This constitutes a valid alternative to other reconstructive procedures like pedicled regional flaps or free tissue transfer in a suitable group of patients.