MICROSURGICAL RECONSTRUCTION OF CHEST-WALL AND ABDOMINAL-WALL DEFECTSASSOCIATED WITH INTRAPERITONEAL VESSELS

Microsurgical reconstruction of abdominal- or chest-wall defects requi res extreme precision but may still raise serious problems. In previou s publications many methods have been reported, including free fascia graft, synthetic mesh, pedicled flap, and free flap with microvascular anastomoses. Free-flap transfer has become a popular operative proced ure for such reconstructions. The recipient vessels utilized have been mainly the external peritoneal system. in some cases, however, it is very difficult to find adequate recipient vessels in the external peri toneal region. intraperitoneal vessels may be obviously exposed in the surgical field because there has been a full-thickness defect of the abdominal or chest wall. These vessels are rather easily found and dis sected. Their diameter is about 1 to 2 mm, appropriate for microvascul ar anastomoses with flap vessels in the reconstruction. Using intraper itoneal vessels for the recipient vessels has rarely been reported. Th e authors report three cases of reconstruction of full-thickness defec ts of the abdominal or chest wall, using these vessels as recipients f or free flaps.