Perforator Flaps

Perforator flap surgery is based on improved knowledge of skin and vascular anatomy.  These are flaps or blocks of tissue that can be raised and transferred as microvascular free flaps or local pedicled flaps based on the perforating blood vessels.  These flaps can be used to address a myriad of reconstructive problems.  The DIEP (deep inferior epigastric artery perforator) flap is used often in Dr. Duffy’s practice for breast reconstruction.  The ALT (anterolateral thigh perforator flap) is used often as a thin free flap for resurfacing extremity defects.  The SGAP (superior gluteal artery perforator flap) is used as a pedicled flap to close large lumbar myelomeningocele (spina bifida) defects.

These flaps are associated with less donor site complications, such as loss of muscle function, and are less painful for patients compared to traditional muscle flaps.  This flap category is truly the foundation of Dr. Duffy’s reconstructive surgical practice.