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Updated: May 10, 2026
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Engineered Vascularized Muscle Flap
Published on: January 11, 2016
Perforator-based chimaeric thoracodorsal flap for foot reconstruction.
Jonathan Rausky1, Jean-Philippe Binder, Sarra Mazouz-Dorval
1Microsurgery Unit, Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Univ Paris Diderot, Sorbonne Paris Cité, AP-HP, Hôpital Saint-Louis, 1, avenue Claude Vellefaux, 75475 Paris Cedex 10, France.
Summary
Reconstructing severe ankle and foot defects is challenging. A chimaeric thoracodorsal perforator flap successfully restored function and shape in a complex case, enabling full weight-bearing.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Plastic Surgery
- Reconstructive Microsurgery
Background:
- Severe ankle and foot defects pose significant reconstructive challenges.
- Ideal reconstruction requires thin dorsal skin for shoe fit and robust tissue for weight-bearing areas.
- Existing methods often involve compromises in function or aesthetics.
Observation:
- A patient presented with an extended circumferential defect of the ankle and exposed heel.
- A chimaeric thoracodorsal perforator flap, incorporating serratus muscle, was utilized for reconstruction.
- The skin component covered the dorsal foot, while the serratus muscle flap addressed the heel defect.
Findings:
- The reconstructive procedure resulted in an uneventful postoperative recovery.
- The patient achieved full weight-bearing capacity within three months post-surgery.
- Twelve months post-reconstruction, the patient demonstrated restored natural shape and successful walking function.
Implications:
- Chimaeric thoracodorsal perforator flaps offer a viable solution for complex ankle and foot defects.
- This technique allows for simultaneous coverage of dorsal and weight-bearing surfaces with minimal donor site morbidity.
- Successful reconstruction can significantly improve patient mobility and quality of life.
