VERSATILITY OF THE MICROVASCULAR SERRATUS ANTERIOR MUSCLE VASCULARIZED RIB FLAP (SARIB) FOR MULTIFACETED REQUIREMENT RECONSTRUCTIONS

We have employed the serratus anterior muscle vascularized rib (SARIB) composite flap for a variety of multifaceted reconstructive applicati ons in which bone and soft tissues were needed. Seventeen patients hav e undergone this procedure for reconstructions of the upper extremity (5), lower extremity reconstructions (4), and reconstruction of head a nd neck defects (8), Sixteen of the reconstructions (89%) have been su ccessful, with an average follow-up over 2 years. One patient had part ial loss of a rib transferred to the head and neck for palatal reconst ruction, One patient had complete flap loss of a maxillectomy reconstr uction owing to a necrotizing infection. We have found this procedure to be applicable to a number of clinical reconstructive situations and recommend the SARIB procedure as a versatile operation that is succes sful in a high percentage of cases.