Perforator artery repair in revascularization of extremity degloving injuries

Abstract

Introduction: This article aims to expand the microsurgical treatment options for extremity degloving injuries with perforator artery repairs of the specific degloved angiosomes in upper and lower extremity.

Methods: Fourteen perforator arteries were repaired in seven patients. Four of them had circumferential degloving and 3 of them have non circumferential degloving injury. All had repair of the perforator arteries of the specific degloved segments. Four patients had additional vein repairs but none of the patients had AV shunts.

Results: All perforators provided adequate arterial supply to their specific angiosomes with some necrotic areas in neighboring angiosomes.

Conclusions: Perforator artery repair within the degloved tissues provides a direct arterial supply successfully even if one could not find an intact venous plexus.

Keywords: Degloving injury; Perforator artery; Revascularization; Vascular repair.