Multifarious uses of the pedicled SCIP flap - a case series

Area of Science:

• Plastic Surgery
• Reconstructive Surgery
• Microsurgery

Background:

• Groin flaps are traditional pedicled and free flaps used in plastic surgery.
• The superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) flap is an evolution of the groin flap, utilizing perforators of the superficial circumflex iliac artery (SCIA).
• The pedicled SCIP flap can be used in numerous reconstructive cases.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility and outcomes of the pedicled SCIP flap in reconstructive surgery.
• To assess the application of the pedicled SCIP flap for defects in the hand, forearm, genital area, and lower abdomen.

Main Methods:

• A series of 15 patients underwent reconstruction using the pedicled SCIP flap between January 2022 and July 2022.
• Patients included 12 males and 3 females with defects in the hand/forearm, scrotum, penis, inguinal region, or lower abdomen.

Main Results:

• One flap experienced partial loss, and one flap experienced complete loss due to pedicle compression.
• All donor sites healed successfully without complications like wound disruption, seroma, or hematoma.
• The thin nature of the flaps eliminated the need for additional debulking procedures.

Conclusions:

• The pedicled SCIP flap demonstrates dependability for reconstructions.
• This flap is recommended for genital area reconstructions and upper limb coverage as an alternative to the classical groin flap.