Free vascularized mesentery transfer for closure of wide peritoneal wall defects

The repair of large abdominal defects can often present problems related to the availability of local tissues adequate for filling the gap without creating high abdominal tension and pressure. The use of a free vascularized mesentery flap for restoration of the abdominal wall, in a case of an infiltrating carcinoid of the right upper and middle abdomen, is reported. After anastomosing the mesentery donor vessels to the deep inferior epigastric artery and vein, the subcutaneous and cutaneous layers were sutured primarily. Closure of the peritoneal cavity by means of vascularized undamaged visceral peritoneum should avoid infection and the formation of adhesions.