The free abdominoplasty flap and its use in breast reconstruction. An experimental study and clinical case report.

In search for a free microvascular flap which would give abundant reconstructive material as well as a satisfactory donor site the free abdominoplasty flap was developed. The flap is designed on the area between the umbilicus, the pubic region and the anterior superior iliac spines and is based on the inferior epigastric vessels on one side only. In eight regular abdominoplasty procedures elevation of this flap and keeping the blood flow intact through the isolated vessels did not jeoparding the viability of the flap. Angiography of the specimens showed a good perfusion. The free abdominoplasty flap has been used for breast reconstruction in 2 cases of radical mastectomy. The first was failure because of venous thrombosis. In the second case 3 veins were anastomosed, 2 venae comitantes to the inferior epigastric vein and the contralateral superficial epigastric vein and the result was favourable.