Clinical Application of Pre-Expanded Perforator Flaps.

Challenging large soft tissue defects are typically treated with microvascular free tissue transfer; however, success has been noted with pre-expanded perforator flaps. To report outcomes and complications from pre-expanded perforator flaps. A retrospective chart review of patients undergoing tissue reconstruction with pre-expanded perforator flaps between 2014 and 2020. Data collection included flap type, defect characteristics, and complications. All 29 patients had successful flap reconstruction without major complication. The median area of tissue defect was 17 × 13 cm (range 7 × 4 to 27 × 24 cm). Mean tissue expansion period was 15.2 weeks (range 9-26 weeks). The most common flap was the pre-expanded internal mammary artery perforator flaps. The findings of this study suggest that combining tissue expansion with a perforator flap for large tissue reconstruction can be successful with limited complications. This technique may allow a larger pliable skin flap that deserves further investigation.