[Lengthened pedicle of rectus abdominis flap to repair defect on neck and chest].

Objective: To explore the feasibility to repair defect on the neck and chest with the rectus abdominis flap which pedicle is lengthened by measuring the width, thickness, and the intercostal space of the inferior costicartilage using CT angiography (CTA).
Methods: Thirty cases receiving CTA and three-dimensional reconstruction between July and December 2013 were included in the study. Of 30 cases, 17 were male and 13 were female, aged 44-70 years (mean, 56 years). The width and thickness of the 3rd to 7th costicartilages and the distance of the 3rd to 6th intercostal spaces were measured, and the lengthened pedicle was calculated after the 4th to 7th costicartilage was cut off. Between July 2012 and November 2013, the lengthened pedicle of the rectus abdominis flap was clinically used to repair the defect on the neck and chest in 4 cases.
Results: The pedicle of the rectus abdominis flap was about 6 cm in length. When the left 7th, 6th, 5th, and 4th costicartilages were cut off, the average pedicle was lengthened by 4.07, 7.99, 12.50, and 17.48 cm respectively; when the right 7th, 6th, 5th, and 4th costicartilages were cut off, the average pedicle was lengthened by 4.63, 10.82, 16.64, and 22.05 cm respectively. In 4 flaps which were clinically used to repair defects, 3 flap completely survived, 1 flap had partial necrosis. Three patients were followed up 6 months, and the appearance and texture of the flap were satisfactory; 1 patient failed to be followed up.
Conclusion: Resecting the inferior costicartilage can prolong the pedicle of the rectus abdominis flap, therefore it can be used to repair defect on the upper chest and the neck.