Deep Circumflex Iliac Artery Perforator Flap without Iliac Crest:

Truncal-based perforator flaps for autologous breast reconstruction: A review of 975 flaps and their clinical application

BACKGROUND

When autologous breast reconstruction is desired and deep inferior epigastric artery perforator (DIEP) flap is inadequate or unavailable, other perforator flaps in the truncal region should not be disregarded. This study aimed to review all truncal-based perforator flaps used for autologous breast reconstruction to identify clinical indications and outcomes of alternate perforator flaps.

METHODS

From 2013 to 2018, patients undergoing truncal-based perforator flap breast reconstruction were reviewed and data recorded for; indications, pre-operative and intra-operative treatment decisions, flap failures, take-backs, and revisions. Compared to the gold standard of the DIEP flap, alternate truncal-based flaps were evaluated for their reconstructive merit and application.

RESULTS

A total of 975 perforator flaps were harvested circumferentially around the lower trunk. As an alternative or adjunct to the DIEP flap (n = 633, 65%), perforator flaps were harvested based on the superficial inferior epigastric, the deep and superficial circumflex iliac arteries, the intercostal, and lumbar arteries (n = 342, 35%). Overlapping vascular territories facilitate the safe harvest of these alternate flaps with 0.8% of flaps requiring take back (n = 8) and 0.2% flap failure rate (n = 2). There was no difference in peri-operative outcomes between anterior abdominal and alternate truncal-based flaps (p > .05).

CONCLUSIONS

Circumferential harvest of alternate truncal flaps is an appropriate option for autologous reconstruction with comparable peri-operative and long-term outcomes as compared to flaps from the anterior abdomen.

Anatomical Consideration for the Safe Elevation of the Deep Circumflex Iliac Artery in Flap Surgery

BACKGROUND

Deep circumflex iliac artery osteocutaneous flap transfer has frequently been applied to large defects in the maxillary and mandible regions, but the use rate has decreased gradually because of the complicated anatomy of the deep circumflex iliac artery. This study investigated the comprehensive anatomy of the deep circumflex iliac artery in relation to flap surgery with the aim of providing navigational guidelines for safe deep circumflex iliac artery harvesting.

METHODS

Sixty-two sides of the hemi-abdominal wall were dissected in fixed Korean cadavers. Several dimensions of the deep circumflex iliac artery and its positional relationships with surgical landmarks were measured, and the patterns of the arterial supply and anastomosis were identified.

RESULTS

The mean distance between the anterior superior iliac spine and the lateral border of the femoral artery was 57.5 mm. The deep circumflex iliac artery generally originated almost at the same level as the inguinal ligament, and its highest level was 14.8 mm superior to that ligament. Emerging points of the ascending branch were observed both medial and lateral to the anterior superior iliac spine, but no transverse branch pierced the transversus abdominis muscle medial to the anterior superior iliac spine.

CONCLUSIONS

The incision line for safe deep circumflex iliac artery harvesting was parallel and 2 cm superior to the inguinal ligament and 6 cm from the anterior superior iliac spine. This position of the safe incision line can be easily determined using the thumb. Sex differences in the incidence of the deep circumflex iliac artery originating above or below the inguinal ligament will be another useful guide for easily detecting the deep circumflex iliac artery.

Facial reconstruction with a unique osteomyocutaneous DCIA perforator flap variant: a case report

Background

Anatomical variance of the deep circumflex iliac artery is of high clinical value in facial reconstruction using a deep circumflex iliac artery perforator (DCIAP) flap.

Methods

We present the case of a 76-year-old woman treated with an osteomyocutaneous DCIAP flap variant for facial reconstruction. We also review here the literature on DCIA perforator flaps and the different anatomical variances, which might bring clinical benefits.

Results

The observed anatomy in our patient offered the possibility to raise a free flap variant with high mobility of a large skin paddle and a long vascular pedicle combined with a variable osteomuscular portion.

Conclusion

The characteristics of the flap thus raised help overcome the disadvantages of the conventional DCIAP flap and offer excellent options for facial reconstruction.

Modified osteomyocutaneous iliac crest flaps transplantation

The paper aims to improve the operative technique of osteomyocutaneous iliac crest flap harvesting, further minimise morbidity of donor site, and improve the effect of recipient site reconstruction. From March 2005 to March 2011, 55 cases of osteomyocutaneous iliac crest flap harvested by different methods were performed to reconstruct the defects of the extremities. Twenty-nine cases were reconstructed with a traditional deep circumflex iliac artery osteomusculocutaneous flap. Twenty-six cases were repaired with modified osteomyocutaneous iliac crest flaps. In 29 cases with a traditional DCIA osteomusculocutaneous flap, two cases showed the injured lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. Flapnecrosis was significant in two cases. Arterial compromise occurred in one case 5 days after operation completion and led to flap failure. Three flaps developed postoperative venous congestion, but only one flap received re-exploration. In the other two cases, some stitches were removed for decompression. All three flaps survived. In two cases, marginal flap necrosis occurred, but no secondary skin grafting was required. In 26 cases with modified flap transplantation, one case showed the injured lateral femoral cutaneous nerve. All flaps survived totally. Osseous integration was achieved in all 55 cases in 3 ∼ 9 months after operation. The modified osteomyocutaneous iliac crest flap technique enhances flap safety, provides the additional advantages of reducing donor-site morbidity, and improves the recipient-site contour.

Developments in image-guided deep circumflex iliac artery flap harvest: a step-by-step guide and literature review

PURPOSE

The deep circumflex iliac artery (DCIA) flap has evolved significantly over time in the intricacies of flap design and breadth of surgical application. This has been facilitated by advances in preoperative imaging and planning, in particular, computed tomographic angiography. Studies have highlighted that advanced imaging modalities and other technologies such as image-guided stereolithographic biomodeling can substantially improve flap planning, flap harvest, and operative outcomes.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The present report comprises a combined literature review and clinical cohort study of 20 consecutive patients to assess the modern technologies applied to DCIA flap planning and harvest. We have also described a step-by-step guide for the implementation of these techniques into clinical practice.

RESULTS

The protocol for a single, standardized technique of computed tomographic angiography scanning is presented and was applied to a range of techniques in the preoperative planning of DCIA flaps. These include 1) bony and vascular imaging analysis of both donor and recipient sites, 2) stereolithographic "biomodeling" of both donor and recipient bony and vascular anatomy, and 3) the use of preoperative "virtual surgery" with image-guided stereotactic navigation. The application and role of each technique was explored.

CONCLUSIONS

Modern imaging and stereolithographic techniques are innovations that can substantially improve surgical outcomes in DCIA flap surgery, such as has been highlighted in our clinical experience and in published studies. Notably, few outcome studies have been reported, and the need for larger case series and comparative studies is apparent.

The deep circumflex iliac artery perforator flap (DCIAP)--a reconstructive option for the large composite oro-mandibular cutaneous defect

The deep circumflex iliac artery (DCIA) flap is often used for mandibular reconstruction but it is bulky and causes additional donor-site morbidity because of the inclusion of an "obligatory internal oblique muscle". Large composite segmental mandibular resections that consist of floor of mouth, subtotal tongue, and adjacent facial skin are a challenge in terms of reconstruction. They often require 2 free flaps or a free scapular flap and both have disadvantages. The deep circumflex iliac artery perforator (DCIAP) flap with a cutaneous component overcomes the disadvantages. We describe reconstructions with DCIAP flaps in 3 patients with large mandibular composite segmental defects. We report our experience of the flap and discuss some of the difficulties we encountered and the points we learned perioperatively.