Visualization of the “Intradermal Plexus” Using Ultrasonography in the Dermis Flap: A Step beyond Perforator Flaps

Background:. Free flaps have evolved from musculocutaneous flaps to perforator-based cutaneous flaps. The subdermal plexus is now thought to play a significant role in skin paddle perfusion. We propose a new concept, the “intradermal plexus,” allowing survival of dermis flaps, according to our study...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Hidehiko Yoshimatsu, MD, Akitatsu Hayashi, MD, Takumi Yamamoto, MD, Giuseppe Visconti, MD, Ryo Karakawa, MD, Yuma Fuse, MD, Takuya Iida, MD
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer 2019-11-01
Series:Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open
Online Access:http://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/10.1097/GOX.0000000000002411
_version_ 1818292422246924288
author Hidehiko Yoshimatsu, MD
Akitatsu Hayashi, MD
Takumi Yamamoto, MD
Giuseppe Visconti, MD
Ryo Karakawa, MD
Yuma Fuse, MD
Takuya Iida, MD
author_facet Hidehiko Yoshimatsu, MD
Akitatsu Hayashi, MD
Takumi Yamamoto, MD
Giuseppe Visconti, MD
Ryo Karakawa, MD
Yuma Fuse, MD
Takuya Iida, MD
author_sort Hidehiko Yoshimatsu, MD
collection DOAJ
description Background:. Free flaps have evolved from musculocutaneous flaps to perforator-based cutaneous flaps. The subdermal plexus is now thought to play a significant role in skin paddle perfusion. We propose a new concept, the “intradermal plexus,” allowing survival of dermis flaps, according to our study. Methods:. A dermis flap was used in 6 cases to reconstruct small defects. The superficial branch of the superficial circumflex iliac artery was traced distally using an ultrasound device with a 70-MHz linear array transducer until the artery’s branch entered the dermis. The location of the dermis entry site was marked and the vessels running inside the dermis were observed and video-recorded. A flap was elevated above the superficial fascia, and the adipose tissue was removed using scissors after confirmation of the vessels’ dermis entry point. Results:. The use of 70-MHz ultrasonography permitted observation in all patients of small arteries entering the dermis layer. The artery was observed to give off branches after entering the dermis, in effect constituting an “intradermal plexus.” Small veins entering the dermis were similarly visualized using 70 MHz ultrasonography. All flaps survived completely. Conclusions:. Small arteries and veins entering and running inside the dermis were visualized for the first time with 70 MHz real-time ultrasonography. Knowledge of the existence of this “intradermal plexus” made it possible to discard nearly all subdermal adipose tissue quickly and safely, without resorting to the elaborate measures described in previous reports.
first_indexed 2024-12-13T02:59:42Z
format Article
id doaj.art-c023904b07504dd9b87453165d1c0a65
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2169-7574
language English
last_indexed 2024-12-13T02:59:42Z
publishDate 2019-11-01
publisher Wolters Kluwer
record_format Article
series Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open
spelling doaj.art-c023904b07504dd9b87453165d1c0a652022-12-22T00:01:52ZengWolters KluwerPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open2169-75742019-11-01711e241110.1097/GOX.0000000000002411201911000-00031Visualization of the “Intradermal Plexus” Using Ultrasonography in the Dermis Flap: A Step beyond Perforator FlapsHidehiko Yoshimatsu, MD0Akitatsu Hayashi, MD1Takumi Yamamoto, MD2Giuseppe Visconti, MD3Ryo Karakawa, MD4Yuma Fuse, MD5Takuya Iida, MD6From the *Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Cancer Institute Hospital of the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan†Department of Breast Center, Kameda Medical Center, Chiba, Japan‡Center Hospital of National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Tokyo, Japan§Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Università Cattolica del “Sacro Cuore,” University Hospital “A. Gemelli,” Rome, ItalyFrom the *Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Cancer Institute Hospital of the Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Koto-ku, Tokyo, Japan‡Center Hospital of National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Tokyo, Japan¶Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Graduate School of Medicine, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.Background:. Free flaps have evolved from musculocutaneous flaps to perforator-based cutaneous flaps. The subdermal plexus is now thought to play a significant role in skin paddle perfusion. We propose a new concept, the “intradermal plexus,” allowing survival of dermis flaps, according to our study. Methods:. A dermis flap was used in 6 cases to reconstruct small defects. The superficial branch of the superficial circumflex iliac artery was traced distally using an ultrasound device with a 70-MHz linear array transducer until the artery’s branch entered the dermis. The location of the dermis entry site was marked and the vessels running inside the dermis were observed and video-recorded. A flap was elevated above the superficial fascia, and the adipose tissue was removed using scissors after confirmation of the vessels’ dermis entry point. Results:. The use of 70-MHz ultrasonography permitted observation in all patients of small arteries entering the dermis layer. The artery was observed to give off branches after entering the dermis, in effect constituting an “intradermal plexus.” Small veins entering the dermis were similarly visualized using 70 MHz ultrasonography. All flaps survived completely. Conclusions:. Small arteries and veins entering and running inside the dermis were visualized for the first time with 70 MHz real-time ultrasonography. Knowledge of the existence of this “intradermal plexus” made it possible to discard nearly all subdermal adipose tissue quickly and safely, without resorting to the elaborate measures described in previous reports.http://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/10.1097/GOX.0000000000002411
spellingShingle Hidehiko Yoshimatsu, MD
Akitatsu Hayashi, MD
Takumi Yamamoto, MD
Giuseppe Visconti, MD
Ryo Karakawa, MD
Yuma Fuse, MD
Takuya Iida, MD
Visualization of the “Intradermal Plexus” Using Ultrasonography in the Dermis Flap: A Step beyond Perforator Flaps
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open
title Visualization of the “Intradermal Plexus” Using Ultrasonography in the Dermis Flap: A Step beyond Perforator Flaps
title_full Visualization of the “Intradermal Plexus” Using Ultrasonography in the Dermis Flap: A Step beyond Perforator Flaps
title_fullStr Visualization of the “Intradermal Plexus” Using Ultrasonography in the Dermis Flap: A Step beyond Perforator Flaps
title_full_unstemmed Visualization of the “Intradermal Plexus” Using Ultrasonography in the Dermis Flap: A Step beyond Perforator Flaps
title_short Visualization of the “Intradermal Plexus” Using Ultrasonography in the Dermis Flap: A Step beyond Perforator Flaps
title_sort visualization of the intradermal plexus using ultrasonography in the dermis flap a step beyond perforator flaps
url http://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/10.1097/GOX.0000000000002411
work_keys_str_mv AT hidehikoyoshimatsumd visualizationoftheintradermalplexususingultrasonographyinthedermisflapastepbeyondperforatorflaps
AT akitatsuhayashimd visualizationoftheintradermalplexususingultrasonographyinthedermisflapastepbeyondperforatorflaps
AT takumiyamamotomd visualizationoftheintradermalplexususingultrasonographyinthedermisflapastepbeyondperforatorflaps
AT giuseppeviscontimd visualizationoftheintradermalplexususingultrasonographyinthedermisflapastepbeyondperforatorflaps
AT ryokarakawamd visualizationoftheintradermalplexususingultrasonographyinthedermisflapastepbeyondperforatorflaps
AT yumafusemd visualizationoftheintradermalplexususingultrasonographyinthedermisflapastepbeyondperforatorflaps
AT takuyaiidamd visualizationoftheintradermalplexususingultrasonographyinthedermisflapastepbeyondperforatorflaps