Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 2, 2025
In situ Transverse Rectus Abdominis Myocutaneous Flap: A Rat Model of Myocutaneous Ischemia Reperfusion Injury
Published on: June 8, 2013
Transverse Rectus Abdominis Muscle Flow-Through to Free Fibula Flap for Lumbar Spinal Reconstruction in a Pediatric
Neal G Moores1, Jessica Luo1, Giovanna Pires1
1Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah.
Case:
A 7-week-old girl presented with a recurrent primitive myxoid mesenchymal tumor of infancy requiring extensive resection of lower back musculature, L3-S2 vertebral bodies, and left L5 nerve root. Reconstruction consisted of transverse rectus abdominis muscle (TRAM) flow-through to free fibular flap to reconstruct the bony defect and fill the soft-tissue void. One-year postoperative imaging revealed a well-incorporated fibula graft. At the 30-month follow-up, the patient can bear weight on the autograft while sitting upright, allowing for efficient ambulation with a wheelchair.
Conclusion:
TRAM flow-through to free fibular flap is an efficacious reconstructive method for a multilevel vertebral spinal defect in a pediatric patient.
