Thoracodorsal artery perforator flap: Indeed a versatile flap

Introduction: The thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flap has emerged as one of the ideal perforator flaps. We, hereby, describe its versatility in indications (free/pedicled), methods of harvest (patient position and paddle orientation) and perforator consistency. Materials and Methods: We have...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Leena Jain, Samir M. Kumta, Shrirang K. Purohit, Rashmi Raut
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt. Ltd. 2015-05-01
Series:Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.4103/0970-0358.163051
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849398432276414464
author Leena Jain
Samir M. Kumta
Shrirang K. Purohit
Rashmi Raut
author_facet Leena Jain
Samir M. Kumta
Shrirang K. Purohit
Rashmi Raut
author_sort Leena Jain
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: The thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flap has emerged as one of the ideal perforator flaps. We, hereby, describe its versatility in indications (free/pedicled), methods of harvest (patient position and paddle orientation) and perforator consistency. Materials and Methods: We have performed a total of six TDAP flaps-five free and one pedicled, over a period of 1-year from March 2014 to February 2015 at a single centre. Our indications have been: Reconstruction of oral cavity, breast and upper and lower extremities. Results: We had neither any failures nor any re-explorations. The average perforator length is about 6 cm and the pedicle length can be extended to 12-14 cm by including the thoracodorsal artery. There is inconsistency in perforator position; however, the presence of a perforator is certain. It can be harvested in lateral, prone or supine position, thus, does not require any position change allowing a two-team approach to reconstruction. The paddle can be oriented vertically or horizontally, both healing with scars in inconspicuous locations. Apart from providing a good colour match for extremities, this flap can be thinned primarily. Conclusion: The versatility of TDAP has several advantages that make it a workhorse flap for most reconstructions requiring soft tissue cover. Further, the ease of harvest makes it a good perforator flap for beginners. Its use in chimerism with the underlying latissimus dorsi muscle provides reconstruction for coverage and volume replacement.
format Article
id doaj-art-a1dfabfbbc964027995cb3c9c4a7b1f7
institution Kabale University
issn 0970-0358
1998-376X
language English
publishDate 2015-05-01
publisher Thieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt. Ltd.
record_format Article
series Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery
spelling doaj-art-a1dfabfbbc964027995cb3c9c4a7b1f72025-08-20T03:38:35ZengThieme Medical and Scientific Publishers Pvt. Ltd.Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery0970-03581998-376X2015-05-01480215315810.4103/0970-0358.163051Thoracodorsal artery perforator flap: Indeed a versatile flapLeena Jain0Samir M. Kumta1Shrirang K. Purohit2Rashmi Raut3Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, IndiaDepartment of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, IndiaDepartment of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, IndiaDepartment of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Lilavati Hospital and Research Centre, Mumbai, Maharashtra, IndiaIntroduction: The thoracodorsal artery perforator (TDAP) flap has emerged as one of the ideal perforator flaps. We, hereby, describe its versatility in indications (free/pedicled), methods of harvest (patient position and paddle orientation) and perforator consistency. Materials and Methods: We have performed a total of six TDAP flaps-five free and one pedicled, over a period of 1-year from March 2014 to February 2015 at a single centre. Our indications have been: Reconstruction of oral cavity, breast and upper and lower extremities. Results: We had neither any failures nor any re-explorations. The average perforator length is about 6 cm and the pedicle length can be extended to 12-14 cm by including the thoracodorsal artery. There is inconsistency in perforator position; however, the presence of a perforator is certain. It can be harvested in lateral, prone or supine position, thus, does not require any position change allowing a two-team approach to reconstruction. The paddle can be oriented vertically or horizontally, both healing with scars in inconspicuous locations. Apart from providing a good colour match for extremities, this flap can be thinned primarily. Conclusion: The versatility of TDAP has several advantages that make it a workhorse flap for most reconstructions requiring soft tissue cover. Further, the ease of harvest makes it a good perforator flap for beginners. Its use in chimerism with the underlying latissimus dorsi muscle provides reconstruction for coverage and volume replacement.http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.4103/0970-0358.163051ideal perforator flapseptocutaneous perforatorversatilechimerism
spellingShingle Leena Jain
Samir M. Kumta
Shrirang K. Purohit
Rashmi Raut
Thoracodorsal artery perforator flap: Indeed a versatile flap
Indian Journal of Plastic Surgery
ideal perforator flap
septocutaneous perforator
versatile
chimerism
title Thoracodorsal artery perforator flap: Indeed a versatile flap
title_full Thoracodorsal artery perforator flap: Indeed a versatile flap
title_fullStr Thoracodorsal artery perforator flap: Indeed a versatile flap
title_full_unstemmed Thoracodorsal artery perforator flap: Indeed a versatile flap
title_short Thoracodorsal artery perforator flap: Indeed a versatile flap
title_sort thoracodorsal artery perforator flap indeed a versatile flap
topic ideal perforator flap
septocutaneous perforator
versatile
chimerism
url http://www.thieme-connect.de/DOI/DOI?10.4103/0970-0358.163051
work_keys_str_mv AT leenajain thoracodorsalarteryperforatorflapindeedaversatileflap
AT samirmkumta thoracodorsalarteryperforatorflapindeedaversatileflap
AT shrirangkpurohit thoracodorsalarteryperforatorflapindeedaversatileflap
AT rashmiraut thoracodorsalarteryperforatorflapindeedaversatileflap