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Published on: March 1, 2015
SERRATUS ANTERIOR MUSCLE FLAP FOR RECONSTRUCTION OF EXTREMITY INJURIES
Gabriel Sardini Covello1, Danilo Vidal Ribeiro Martins1, Giovani Caetano Padilha1
1Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Sao Paulo, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Sorocaba Campus, Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil.
Objective:
To report the use of the serratus anterior free tissue transfer in the treatment of traumatic injuries.
Methods:
Twenty-six free flaps or serratus pedicled flaps were performed for reconstruction of traumatic extremity injuries.
Results:
Complete flap survival was recorded in 20 limbs and 3 patients had circulatory complications. Even with the review of vascular anastomoses, partial flap necrosis could not be prevented and required a skin graft after debridement in the necrotic area. Another flap also required reexploration as a result of heavy congestion due to impaired venous return. Superficial wound infection was found in three patients and treated with conservative measures. Regarding the donor area, seroma formation was found in 8 cases; drainage was necessary in 2, and the others were resolved spontaneously. In 2, bruises formed and were later drained. In 1 limb there was long thoracic nerve injury and scapular winging.
Conclusion:
According to this study, the serratus anterior muscle flap is an excellent tool for treating small complex lesions in the extremities. .
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