Microsurgical reconstruction in pediatric patients: a series of 30 patients.

BACKGROUND

Free flap surgery in the pediatric population has gained widespread acceptance regarding its technical utility and reliability. Initial concerns as to the feasibility and reliability of the procedure in children were resolved over time.

METHODS

Thirty children (15 boys, 15 girls) were treated in Sisli Etfal Training and Research Hospital, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Clinic. Their mean age was 10.8 years. Defects were located on the lower extremity (n=22), head and neck (n=5) and upper extremity (n=3). The etiologies of the defects included vehicle accident, sequelae of burn, traumatic contractures, crush injury, epulis in the maxilla, and gunshot wound.

RESULTS

The free flaps performed in our series were latissimus dorsi muscle flap, combined latissimus dorsi and serratus muscle flaps, serratus anterior muscle flap, cross latissimus dorsi muscle flap, scapular osteomyocutaneous flap, parascapular fasciocutaneous flap, fibular osteocutaneous flap, anterolateral thigh flap, medial circumflex femoral artery perforator flap, and crista iliaca osteocutaneous flap.

CONCLUSION

The advantages of free flaps in children, which include better adaptation of the flap growth and better learning capacity of the children, provide the surgeon with more satisfactory functional and aesthetic results.