[Clinical application of a paraumbilical axial flap--report of 16 cases]

The paraumbilical skin flap is based on the deep inferior epigastric artery and its paraumbilical perofrators. It can be transferred not only as a free flap but also as a pedicle flap or island flap. Since December 1987, we have successfully used the flap to repair the wounds and to reconstruct penis in 16 cases. The merits of the flap are as follows: The position of deep inferior epigastric artery is constant. The blood supply to the flap is good. The flap has a long vascular pedicle and the donor site is concealed.