Importance of Effective Retraction for Exposing Loose Areolar Plane in Suprafascial Deep Inferior Epigastric Perforator Flap Raising

In recent years, perforator flaps have become an important tool in the reconstructive surgery armamentarium. In this technique, careful dissection of vascular perforators allows transfer of well-perfused tissue locally, regionally, and even distantly as free flaps.[1] Even though the importance of adequate retraction has been emphasized in the past,[2] this article presents a technical tip for suprafascial identification and dissection of perforators, particularly useful for deep inferior epigastric perforator flaps. Suprafascial flap raising usually involves dissecting through the plane between the fascia and the superficial adipose tissue until perforators are visualized. The senior author has noticed that standard upward retraction ([Fig. 1]), even though useful for optimizing cutting through tissues, can actually hide perforators behind the fascia as this is pulled up. Instead, if upward retraction is combined with gently pulling of the flap away from the surgeon, a loose areolar plane is exposed, aiding safe raising of the flap ([Fig. 2]). This technique also helps preserve the suprafascial vascular plexus on the flap side, which may reduce fat necrosis. The particular way of retracting presented in this technical note allows adequate visualization of the right areolar plane facilitating identification and dissection of vascular perforators ([Video 1]). In the context of pressures for increasing operating efficiency,[3] the authors advocate using every single tool at hand to facilitate this task.

Fig. 1 (A, B) Standard upward retraction provides countertraction but does not optimize visualization of perforators.

Fig. 2 (A, B) While the flap is held up between the index and thumb, the other fingers are used to retract away from the surgeon. This helps “tent” the flap revealing a plane of loose areolar tissue which is easier to dissect and allows better visualization of perforators.

Video 1

Video showing how effective retraction, pulling the flap away from the surgeon can reveal a clear and safe areolar plane. Online content including video sequences viewable at:

www.thieme-connect.com/products/ejournals/html/10.1055/s-0039-3402356.

Conflict of Interest

None declared.

Declaration

This technical tip was presented at the World Society of Reconstructive Microsurgery in Bologna, Italy 12th to 15th June, 2019.

• References

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