The integration of muscle perforator flaps into a community-based private practice

Over the past decade, muscle perforator flaps have proven their versatility as another important option when a soft tissue flap is essential. Valuable as either local or free flaps, these are no longer a novelty, and are perhaps even becoming a necessity for the mainstream reconstructive surgeon. Prior microsurgical capabilities will unquestionably simplify the transition to harvesting the diminutive vascular pedicle of these flaps, while perhaps shortening the learning curve, but these skills are not imperative. With proper assistance and perseverance, as with any other aspect of surgery, muscle perforator flaps can become a mainstay, if not the preferred method, for soft tissue repairs even in the community hospital where resources tend to be less available.