Introduction: For a long time, the free or pedicled thoracodorsal
artery perforator (TDAP) flaps were used for reconstruction
of large cutaneous defects. These may be regional
soft tissue defects of trunk, axilla and breast where the pedicled
flap used, or distant tissue defects of face, elbow, forearm
and lower extremity where the free TDAP flap is used.
Aim of the Study: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical
applications of the thoracodorsal artery perforator flap (TDAP)
either free or pedicled in the reconstruction of soft tissue
defects of extremities.
Patients and Methods: This study was conducted on 20
patients admitted to the Plastic Surgery Departments of both
Tanta & Al Azhar Universities during the period from September
2015 to December 2017. These patients were presented
by extremity soft tissue defects that required a flap reconstruction.
Results: The results showed that the TDAP flap is a
versatile and robust flap in soft tissue reconstruction of the
extremities. This flap has great advantages as a long vascular
pedicle; large skin paddle can be harvested, minimal donor
site morbidity and thin skin paddle to resurface shallow
defects. The TDAP flap showed also some drawbacks like
meticulous and time-consuming dissection of the perforators,
donor site scar widening.