RESUMO
BACKGROUND: The superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flap (SCIP) is a thin, pliable, and versatile flap used mainly for extremities and head and neck reconstruction. Different planning methods have been described, but these are not yet standardized like in other flaps. The aim of this study is to present a fast, effective, and reliable method for SCIP flap planning using computed tomography angiography (CTA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between October 2017 and September 2018, CTA was performed on 40 patients. Preoperative planning of SCIP flaps based on the medial branch was performed analyzing CTA images. The perforating sites of the medial branch on the deep (point D) and superficial fascia (point S) were identified. Distances to those points, from the center of the umbilicus in the "y-axis" and the midline perpendicularly in the "x-axis," were measured. These measurements were transferred to the patient's skin as a guide for dissection. RESULTS: Eighty areas were studied identifying points D and S in CTA. Forty-three SCIP flaps were performed using this planning method. In 100% of the flaps, points D and S matched perfectly with handheld Doppler and surgical findings. CONCLUSION: Points D and S method for medial branch based SCIP planning with CTA is an easy to learn, efficient, fast, and reliable technique for preoperative planning, allowing a safe and predictable elevation of the flap.
Assuntos
Angiografia por Tomografia Computadorizada , Artéria Ilíaca/diagnóstico por imagem , Artéria Ilíaca/cirurgia , Planejamento de Assistência ao Paciente , Retalho Perfurante/irrigação sanguínea , Procedimentos de Cirurgia Plástica , Adulto , Idoso , Feminino , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Ultrassonografia DopplerRESUMO
Post-traumatic lymphedema is poorly understood. It is rarely considered in limb reconstruction decision-making approach. We report a case of a 41-year-old female who presented with right upper extremity lymphedema after degloving injury and split thickness skin graft, successfully treated with a superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) free flap restoring the lymphatic drainage. Right upper extremity had an excess of 258.7 mL or an excess volume of 27.86% compared to the healthy contralateral limb. A SCIP free flap including lymphatic vessels (SCIP-L) was performed to replace the skin graft in order to restore the lymphatic flow. Flap size was 19 × 8 cm and pedicle length was 4 cm. No lymph nodes were included and no lymphatic or lymphovenous anastomoses were performed. The surgery was uneventful, and there were no postoperative complications. Fourteen days after free tissue transfer, lymphedema showed clear improvement. At a 4-month follow-up, 55.6% reduction of excess volume was obtained. Indocyanine green lymphography performed at that time showed a restitution of lymph flow through the flap. Lymphedema improvements persisted at a 6-month follow-up. A successful treatment of post-traumatic lymphedema can be performed by using the SCIP-L free flap for soft tissue reconstruction of critical lymphatic drainage areas.
Assuntos
Braço/cirurgia , Avulsões Cutâneas/cirurgia , Artéria Ilíaca/transplante , Vasos Linfáticos/transplante , Linfedema/cirurgia , Retalho Perfurante/irrigação sanguínea , Retalho Perfurante/cirurgia , Adulto , Feminino , Humanos , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/cirurgia , ReoperaçãoRESUMO
Design and preoperative planning of microsurgical flaps are fundamental steps for successful surgery. Currently, computed tomographic angiography is considered the gold standard, and new technologies such as thermography could complement its usefulness. The aim of this study was to determine the concordance between thermographic images obtained with a smartphone thermal camera and computed tomographic angiography for detecting perforators using the anterolateral thigh flap area as a model. A concordance study of diagnostic tests was performed in patients who underwent limb reconstruction in 2016. Perforators identified in thigh computed tomographic angiographic images and hotspots on thermographic images obtained by means of the FLIR ONE smartphone camera were compared based on the distance from the anterior superior iliac spine. The authors studied 20 patients, including 38 anterolateral thigh flap territories in total, and identified 117 perforators by computed tomographic angiography and 120 hotspots by thermography. The average mean distance from the anterior superior iliac spine using these methods was 193.14 mm, and the mean difference in distance was 2.37 mm, with both measurements being obtained within a radius of 20 mm, with a concordance kappa index of 0.975 (p < 0.001). Thermographic imaging presented a sensitivity of 100 percent and a specificity of 98 percent in detecting perforators. Thermographic images obtained with a smartphone thermal camera have a high concordance with the method considered the gold standard for perforator detection. In addition, its sensitivity and specificity are comparable to those of computed tomographic angiography, which makes it a very useful method for mapping perforators in free flap planning. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Diagnostic, II.