Pedicled thoracodorsal artery perforator flap in the soft-tissue reconstruction of an acute traumatic cubital fossa defect

Abstract

Introduction: Complex cubital fossa injuries with bony and vascular injuries are not an uncommon clinical presentation after trauma to the elbow. The revascularization of the upper limb by brachial artery repair with the venous graft is paramount, followed by immediate cover with a sturdy flap to salvage the limb. The use of local muscle and fasciocutaneous flaps is limited in the setting of vascular injury. The pedicled latissimus dorsi muscle flap and abdominal flaps are routinely used with few advantages. This article describes the use of a pedicled thoracodorsal artery perforator flap in the management of acute traumatic cubital fossa defect.

Material and methods: A retrospective observational study was performed from September 2015 to December 2020 with patients who underwent the pedicled TDAP flap as a soft-tissue cover of cubital fossa injuries primarily. Patient variables, including the size of defect and flap, the number of perforators, the complications, and the outcome, were recorded.

Results: Eleven patients were included in the study. The majority of the patients were males (n = 10) and presented with a history of trauma in a road traffic accident (n = 6) or because of a fall from height (n = 4). All of them (n = 11) had some form of bony injury. Seven patients in this group required brachial artery repair with an interposition vein graft successfully covered with a TDAP flap. There was a constant dominant musculocutaneous perforator about 10-13 cm from the apex of the axilla. At discharge, all flaps had settled well. On follow-up ranging from 2 months to 2 years, the patients reported satisfactory outcomes.

Keywords: Acute cubital fossa injuries; Cubital fossa reconstruction; Pedicled thoracodorsal artery perforator flap.