Free Bipedicled Radial Forearm and Posterior Interosseous Artery Perforator Flap Phalloplasty

The free radial forearm (FRFA) flap is universally still considered as the gold standard technique in penile reconstruction. Typically, a considerably large flap is required, often involving almost the entire circumference of the forearm. Partial necrosis may occur at the distal-most (dorsoradial) part of the flap as a result of insufficient perfusion.

To describe a new technique using the posterior interosseous artery (PIOA) to supercharge FRFA phalloplasty.

In a 12-month period, all patients having FRFA flap phalloplasty were enrolled. Perioperative, after complete flap dissection, an indocyanine green perfusion scan was performed. In case of insufficient perfusion at the distalmost part of the flap, a supramicrosurgical anastomosis was performed between the FRFA pedicle and the PIOA (artery only).

Studied outcomes included the rate of marginal necrosis, surgical time, postoperative posterior interosseous nerve damage and urethral complications (fistula, stenosis or necrosis).

A total of 27 FRFA flap phalloplasties was performed. Anastomosis of the PIOA was needed in 15 cases. No marginal necrosis was observed in these cases. There were no cases of postoperative posterior interosseous nerve damage. There were no significant differences in urethral complications (fistula, stenosis or necrosis) between the 2 groups.

In selected cases where insufficient perfusion of the dorsoradial part of the flap is present, patients may benefit from arterial supercharging to prevent postoperative marginal necrosis.

Strengths include a single surgeon, thus lending continuity of skill and technique, a consecutive series, and 100% short-term follow-up. Limitations include single institution series and a limited number of patients.

Arterial supercharging is effective in improving perfusion of large FRFA flaps used in phalloplasty when dorsoradial hypoperfusion is detected on an indocyanine green perfusion scan. It is a technically challenging addition to the standard technique because of the small size of the vessels, the close relationship between the PIOA and the posterior interosseous nerve, and the vulnerability of the newly constructed intra-flap anastomosis. De Wolf E, Claes K, Sommeling CE, et al. Free Bipedicled Radial Forearm and Posterior Interosseous Artery Perforator Flap Phalloplasty. J Sex Med 2019;16:1111-1117.