Efficiency Assessment of Multidetector-Row Computed Tomographic Angiography Using Reconstruction With Locoregional Perforator Flaps

Abstract

Background: Reconstruction with the use of perforator flaps makes it possible to make the skin surface resistant to the influence of mechanical factors and as similar to the lost skin cover as possible. However, while planning any flap, along with the design of the required shape and size, its blood supply should be taken into account to ensure optimal viability. Therefore, the task to precisely determine the topographic–anatomical relationships suitable for the formation of a pedicle of perforators is still relevant. The aim of this study was to increase the efficiency of surgical reconstruction of wound defects by transposition of locoregional perforator flaps. Methods: The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of 72 cases of reconstruction by means of locoregional perforator flaps with vascular pedicle detachment to determine the efficiency of preoperative diagnostic preparation with the help of multidetector-row computed tomographic angiography (MDCT) in the process of reconstruction. Thirty-seven individual cases of surgical interventions were chosen using a case-controlled study from the study group when MDCT with angiography was used for preoperative planning of perforator flaps, as well as 35 control cases similar in terms of important predictive peculiarities with the reconstruction at the same level of difficulty. The patient groups were precisely matched by gender ( P = .950), age ( P = .804), flap area ( P = .192), and type of reconstruction that was performed. Results: In all cases, the location of the perforator with a diameter greater than 1.0 mm was marked. All perforators determined during MDCT scanning were faultlessly localized intraoperatively. The distance between the intraoperative position of the perforator and the position obtained in the result of the examination did not exceed 1 cm. There was no need to change the planned design of the flap intraoperatively. In all cases where MDCT was performed, the duration of the surgical procedure varied from 60 to 150 minutes (average: 120.77 [18.90] minutes) and was reduced by 49.40 minutes (95% CI: 39.17-59.63) compared with the patients who did not undergo preoperative visualization of perforators where the average duration of the operation was 170.17 (19.19) minutes (from 140 to 220 minutes). Among the patients examined by MDCT, surgical complications were noted in 5 cases (13.51%) compared to 14 cases (40.00%) in the control group. Conclusions: The preoperative MDCT for the locoregional perforator flap reconstruction makes it possible to increase the efficiency of patient treatment given the reduction in surgery duration by 49.40 minutes (95% CI: 39.17-59.63) on average and the reduction in the level of postsurgery complications from 40% to 13.5% compared with the group of patients in whom presurgical visualization was not performed ( P = .031).