[Scapular flap, an alternative to the radial forearm flap in phalloplasty: Advantages and limitations]

Antebrachial phalloplasty is considered as the standard technique in total penile reconstruction. This technique allows the creation of a phallus and a neourethra in one step at the cost of significant sequelae of the donor site. Thus, this technique has been replaced in some centers by other techniques such as the MSLD flap or the ALT flap. However, in Western populations, these techniques require the addition of a technique dedicated to the urethroplasty. The scapular flap is a technique that is not widely described in the literature and, like the antebrachial flap, allows the creation of a phallus and a urethra in one step according to the "tube within tube" technique.

The aim of the study was to detail this technique, to study its vascularization and to adapt the measurements of the flap to a western population.

Six cadaveric dissections were performed in the laboratory. Intravascular injection of colored latex allowed easier identification of the vessels of interest and study of the subcutaneous vascular tree. Scapular flaps of variable size were raised to adapt the size to a Western population.

Six dissections were performed in Caucasian subjects. The scapular circumflex artery was constant and had a mean diameter of 3.5mm (3.3mm-3.8mm). The mean pedicle length was 7.3cm (6.8cm-8.1cm). The size of the flaps was adapted to the subcutaneous tissue and flaps of at least 14×16cm allowed the "tube within tube" technique to be performed.

The scapular flap has the advantage of allowing phalloplasty with urethroplasty to be performed at the same time. The pedicle is constant and of good diameter. In addition, the sequelae of the donor site are minimal. On the other hand, the pedicle used is short and the flap cannot be surgically reinnervated. Nevertheless, the restoration of a protective sensitivity allows the implantation of a penile prosthesis.