Freestyle propeller flaps to reconstruct defects of the posterior trunk: a simple approach to a difficult problem

The reconstruction of complex defects of the back remains difficult. However, a local skin flap alone based on a competent single perforator can have a large skin territory with an efficient arc of rotation as a propeller flap to cover many back wounds, while the donor site can still be closed primarily. Eleven patients with defect sizes ranging from 36 to 264 cm(2) underwent coverage of posterior trunk defects using propeller flap (rotated perforator flaps), and all the donor sites were primarily closed. The average number of perforators within the flap was 1.4. All flaps healed uneventfully except for 1 case in which congestion was noted; leech was applied and the flap healed well. Radiation therapy was done in 1 case and was uneventful. The freestyle perforator propeller flap can be a reliable and a simpler solution to reconstruct a difficult defect while achieving minimal donor site morbidity.