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Updated: May 16, 2026
An Experimental Human DIEP Flap Model to Investigate Preservation Strategies for Vascularized Composite Allografts and Free Flaps
Published on: December 5, 2025
Minimally invasive harvesting of adipofascial scapular flaps
Sammy Al-Benna1, James J R Kirkpatrick, Ian Taggart
1From the *Department of Plastic Surgery, BG University Hospital Bergmannsheil, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany; and †Canniesburn Plastic Surgery Unit, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom.
Introduction:
Scapular flaps are a reliable system for reconstruction. Disadvantages of reconstruction with these flaps include unsightly scars at the donor site due to wound healing under excessive tension and the use of skin grafts. Minimally invasive harvesting techniques may reduce potential donor-site morbidity. There has been no report on endoscopically assisted harvesting of the scapular adipofascial flap.
Methods:
Two patients with large defects are reviewed. Endoscopically assisted minimally invasive techniques for harvest of scapular adipofascial flaps were used in reconstruction of these soft-tissue defects.
Results:
Both defects were successfully reconstructed in the primary setting without any donor-site wound complications.
Conclusions:
This is the first time that a scapular flap has been harvested successfully with a minimally invasive technique for reconstruction. This technique allows the use of a scapular flap as a pedicled flap or as a free flap. Minimally invasive harvest of the adipofascial scapular flap has the advantages of short incision and better cosmesis of the donor site, for scarring is minimized and the incision can be closed primarily without skin grafting therefore reducing donor-site morbidity compared with the traditional open technique.