J Reconstr Microsurg 1991; 7(3): 187-195
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-1006778
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

© 1991 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.

Free Groin Flaps in Microsurgical Reconstruction of the Extremity

Soo Bong Hahn, Hyun Kon Kim
  • Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
Further Information

Publication History

Accepted for publication 1991

Publication Date:
08 March 2008 (online)

ABSTRACT

The authors performed free groin flap transplantation in 36 patients with extensive soft-tissue injury of the extremities. In each case, the vascular anatomy of the groin flap was analyzed during the operation. The anatomic classification of the superficial circumflex iliac artery according to its origin was as follows-, a common origin with the superficial inferior epigastric artery in 15 cases (39.5 percent); an isolated origin and absent superficial inferior epigastric artery in 14 cases (36.8 percent), a separate origin in three cases (7.9 percent), and an origin from the profunda femoral artery in six cases (15.8 percent). These results are similar to those reported previously. The overall success rate was 72.2 percent. The success rate was better in the upper extremity (100.0 percent) than in the lower extremity (65.5 percent). Free vascularized groin flap transplantation is a suitable procedure for the one-stage reconstruction of severe soft-tissue injury, especially in the upper extremity.