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J Reconstr Microsurg 2005; 21(7): 447-450
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-918897
Copyright © 2005 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Microdissection Thinning of a Pedicled Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap for Burn Scar Contracture of the Groin: Case Report

SuRak Eo1 , DaeYoung Kim2 , Neil F. Jones3
  • 1Department of Plastic Surgery, Hallym University Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
  • 2Department of Plastic Surgery, Chonnam National University Hospital, Gwangju, Korea
  • 3Division of Hand/Microsurgery, UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted: May 18, 2005

Publication Date:
30 September 2005 (online)

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ABSTRACT

A severe burn scar contracture of the groin in a 25-year-old woman was successfully reconstructed with microdissection and thinning of a pedicled deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap. This perforator flap is a relatively thin cutaneous flap, but may still require secondary defatting procedures, especially when used for coverage of mobile anatomic areas such as the groin and axilla. A deep inferior epigastric perforator flap was radically thinned by excising the subcutaneous fatty layer very carefully under loupe magnification, to preserve the subdermal vascular plexus. One year after surgery, the patient can abduct and rotate the hip freely without limitation.

KEYWORDS

Burn scar contracture - microdissection and thinning - deep Inferior epigastric perforator flap

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Neil F JonesM.D. 

Hand/Microsurgery, UCLA Medical Center, 10945 Le Conte Ave

#3355, Los Angeles, CA 90095