Use of the omental free flap for soft-tissue reconstruction

Omentum can be useful as a free flap for soft-tissue reconstruction in a variety of difficult wounds. Omentum was successfully used as a free flap in 11 of 15 patients. Of the 15 defects, 2 were located on the scalp, 2 on the face, 2 on the thigh, and 9 on the lower leg. The failure rate of 27% (4 o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inAnnals of plastic surgery Vol. 11; no. 6; p. 501
Main Authors Irons, G B, Witzke, D J, Arnold, P G, Wood, M B
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published United States 01.12.1983
Subjects
Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Female
Hemangiosarcoma - surgery
Humans
Leg Injuries - surgery
Male
Middle Aged
Omentum - transplantation
Osteomyelitis - surgery
Scalp - surgery
Skin Neoplasms - surgery
Skull Neoplasms - surgery
Surgical Flaps
Surgical Wound Dehiscence - surgery
Surgical Wound Infection - surgery
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Summary:Omentum can be useful as a free flap for soft-tissue reconstruction in a variety of difficult wounds. Omentum was successfully used as a free flap in 11 of 15 patients. Of the 15 defects, 2 were located on the scalp, 2 on the face, 2 on the thigh, and 9 on the lower leg. The failure rate of 27% (4 out of 15) was higher than the 10 to 15% failure rate that we have experienced with skin and muscle flaps. The most frequent cause of failure was the use of diseased recipient vessels for the microvascular anastomoses, that is, vessels with scar tissue, inflammation, or arteriosclerotic changes. Poor blood flow in the recipient vessel also was a harbinger of trouble. This low-flow phenomenon was more prevalent when the anterior tibial vessels of the lower leg were used. In spite of these problems, omentum is useful as a free flap for selected difficult soft-tissue defects.
ISSN:0148-7043
DOI:10.1097/00000637-198312000-00009