T. Wellisz et al., THE EXTENDED DEEP INFERIOR EPIGASTRIC PEDICLE FLAP FOR LOWER-EXTREMITY RECONSTRUCTION, Annals of plastic surgery, 30(5), 1993, pp. 405-410
Large soft-tissue defects of the lower extremity can present a challen
ging reconstructive problem. The extended deep inferior epigastric ped
icle flap is a versatile and reliable flap that can be used for the co
verage of complex lower extremity soft-tissue defects as far distal as
the knee. We reviewed our 5-year experience with 20 consecutive exten
ded deep inferior epigastric pedicle flaps used to cover lower extremi
ty defects. All wounds, including 4 soft-tissue defects of the knee, w
ere successfully covered. Two minor complications occurred. Flap anato
my, surgical approach, and new refinements in flap design are presente
d. The indications for the flap and its role in ablative tumor surgery
are discussed. This flap has proved to be versatile, easy to raise, a
nd extremely hardy. The ample skin island with its large arc of rotati
on is well vascularized, healing well even in irradiated wounds, and t
he flap tolerates both postoperative pressure and radiation.