The serratus anterior free-muscle flap: experience with 100 consecutive cases. 1990

T M Whitney, and H J Buncke, and B S Alpert, and G M Buncke, and W C Lineaweaver
Microsurgical Replantation Transplantation Department, Davies Medical Center, San Francisco, Calif.

We report free serratus transplantation in 100 consecutive patients, 10 in combination with the latissimus muscle and 2 with rib. Transplantation was performed for extremity soft-tissue coverage, contour correction, and facial reanimation. Twenty-two patients received serratus transplantation as part of complex reconstruction requiring multiple microvascular transplants. Overall success was 99 percent, with a single flap failure. Four patients suffered partial flap loss. Emergent reexploration for suspected vascular occlusion was infrequent, required in six flaps (6.0 percent), with an 83 percent salvage rate. Significant complications occurred in 18 percent of recipient sites and 12 percent of donor sites, with eight patients developing seroma/hematoma. No scapular winging was noted, and all patients retained full shoulder range of motion. The serratus muscle flap is a highly reliable flap characterized by a consistently long pedicle, excellent malleability, and multipennate anatomy permitting coverage of complex three-dimensional wounds and consistent performance as a functional transplant. Underlying rib can be included as a myo-osseous flap to expand the versatility of this flap.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007366 Intercostal Muscles Respiratory muscles that arise from the lower border of one rib and insert into the upper border of the adjoining rib, and contract during inspiration or respiration. (From Stedman, 25th ed) Intercostal Muscle,Muscle, Intercostal,Muscles, Intercostal
D007866 Leg The inferior part of the lower extremity between the KNEE and the ANKLE. Legs
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009333 Neck The part of a human or animal body connecting the HEAD to the rest of the body. Necks
D011183 Postoperative Complications Pathologic processes that affect patients after a surgical procedure. They may or may not be related to the disease for which the surgery was done, and they may or may not be direct results of the surgery. Complication, Postoperative,Complications, Postoperative,Postoperative Complication
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D002675 Child, Preschool A child between the ages of 2 and 5. Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D005145 Face The anterior portion of the head that includes the skin, muscles, and structures of the forehead, eyes, nose, mouth, cheeks, and jaw. Faces
D005260 Female Females

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