Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Free perforator flaps in children.

Koenraad Van Landuyt1, Moustapha Hamdi, Phillip Blondeel

  • 1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Gent, Gent, Belgium. koenraad.vanlanduyt@ugent.be

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
|July 1, 2005
PubMed
Summary

Free perforator flaps are a reliable reconstructive option for children, offering excellent outcomes and reduced donor site morbidity. This technique is a valuable alternative to traditional free flaps in pediatric reconstructive surgery.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Superior Gluteal and Lumbar Artery Perforator Flaps in Autologous Breast Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

ANZ journal of surgery·2026
Same author

Transoral Robotic Cleft Palate Surgery: Communication-Related Outcomes and Feasibility.

Sensors (Basel, Switzerland)·2026
Same author

Vertical Superior Epigastric Artery Perforator Flap for Autologous Breast Augmentation After Massive Weight Loss.

Plastic and reconstructive surgery·2026
Same author

Surgeon-validated AI-generated consultation letters in plastic surgery.

Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery : JPRAS·2026
Same author

Beyond Flap Survival: Aesthetic Satisfaction and Patient-Reported Outcomes in Microsurgical Lower Limb Reconstruction.

Plastic and reconstructive surgery·2026
Same author

Clinical outcomes with gelling fibre and silicone-coated foam dressings: a prospective, multicentre study.

Journal of wound care·2026

Area of Science:

  • Plastic Surgery
  • Pediatric Microsurgery
  • Reconstructive Surgery

Background:

  • Perforator flap elevation can be challenging but offers significant benefits.
  • In pediatric patients, donor site options for free flaps are limited.
  • Minimizing donor site morbidity is crucial for aesthetic, functional, and psychological well-being in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy and safety of free perforator flaps in pediatric reconstructive surgery.
  • To assess the outcomes of perforator flaps in children with extensive soft-tissue defects.
  • To establish perforator flaps as a preferred reconstructive option in pediatric cases.

Main Methods:

  • A series of 23 consecutive free perforator flaps were performed in 20 children (ages 28 weeks to 16 years).

Related Experiment Videos

  • The study included defects in the upper and lower limbs requiring extensive soft-tissue coverage.
  • Flap types included deep inferior epigastric artery perforator, thoracodorsal artery perforator, and compound thoracodorsal artery perforator flaps.

    • Main Results:

    • An overall success rate of 95.7% was achieved, with only one flap failure.
    • Follow-up extended up to 7 years, demonstrating favorable long-term results.
    • Outcomes compared positively with existing literature on adult perforator flaps and pediatric free flaps.

    Conclusions:

    • Free perforator flaps are a valuable alternative to traditional muscle or myocutaneous free flaps in pediatric reconstructive surgery.
    • Perforator flaps significantly reduce donor-site morbidity, making them the preferred choice for the authors.
    • This technique offers excellent reconstructive potential with improved patient outcomes in children.