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J Reconstr Microsurg 2020; 36(08): 600-605
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1713666
Original Article

Superficial Circumflex Iliac Artery Perforator Flap as a Workhorse Flap: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Mehmet Altiparmak
1   Department of Plastic Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
2   Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University, Faculty of Medicine, Muğla, Turkey
,
Han Gyu Cha 
3   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Soonchunhyang University Bucheon Hospital, Soonchunhyang University College of Medicine, Asan, South Korea
,
Joon P. Hong 
1   Department of Plastic Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
,
Hyunsuk Peter Suh
1   Department of Plastic Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan, College of Medicine, Seoul, South Korea
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
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Abstract

Background There are various advantages and disadvantages attributed to superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator (SCIP) flap. The aim of this study is to evaluate the versatility and reliability of free SCIP flap by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature in terms of flap characteristics, pedicle types, and outcomes, including the different types of flap elevations.

Methods PubMed, Embase OVID, and Cochrane CENTRAL were searched up to January 2019. All original articles and case reports published in English were included in the analysis. Anatomic descriptions, cadaveric studies, conference presentations, letter to the editors, local SCIP flaps, and review articles were excluded.

Results A total of 36 articles including 907 SCIP flaps were available for the analysis. The most frequent causes of defects were tumors (38.2%) and lower extremities were the most common recipient areas (62.7%). The average flap dimension was 73.3 ± 23.0 cm2 with a pedicle length of 5.0 ± 0.6 cm. Vessel diameter average was 0.67 ± 0.12 mm. The average number of deep branch and superficial branch used per study was 14.4 ± 8.7 (18%) and 93.3 ± 75.0 (84%), respectively. Flap failure rate and complication rate were 2.7 and 4.2%, respectively.

Conclusion SCIP flaps have been shown to be versatile in various aspects of reconstruction. The attributed disadvantages such as having short pedicle and small vessel diameter do not seem to limit the variable usage of this flap. Therefore, SCIP flap should be considered a workhorse flap.

Keywords

superficial circumflex iliac artery - perforator flap - meta-analysis

Note

This study presented at the 9th R&R (Research and Reconstruction) Forum held on May 9–10, 2019, in Gwangju, Republic of Korea.


Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 06 April 2020

Accepted: 17 May 2020

Article published online:
29 June 2020

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