Deep superior epigastric artery perforator ‘propeller’ flap for abdominal wall reconstruction: A case report

SummaryAs the concept of ‘free style perforator’ flap and the ‘propeller’ flap is widely accepted, any region of the body can be used as a possible donor site for a perforator flap. A ‘propeller’ flap is a local flap that is rotated to different extents (up to 180°) about a reliable perforator to cover adjacent defects. Rectus abdominis perforators (epigastric artery perforators) are the main perforators in the abdominal region from the deep inferior epigastric artery or the deep superior epigastric artery. Traditionally, deep inferior epigastric artery perforators have been often used in the abdominal region because they provide a dominant blood supply to abdominal skin. In the described case, a large abdominal wall defect (20.5 × 19 cm) caused by tumour resection was covered successfully using a superior epigastric artery perforator ‘propeller’ flap.