Revisiting Abdominal Flaps and Assessing Their Reliablity for Coverage of Upper Extremity Defects

Abstract

Abdominal aps have been a workhorse aps for complex upper extremity defects since last 5 decades. Since the evolution of microsurgery, free aps have revolutionised the upper extremity defect reconstruction and have invariably replaced abdominal aps as the primary option for reconstruction. Abdominal aps due to their reliablity still continue to be the lifeboat and primary surgical option in centres where microsurgery is not possible and in events of failure of free aps. It is documented in the literature that long term outcomes of successful pedicled aps are equal or even better than free aps. With their lesser learning curve, requiring lesser resources and very reliable outcomes abdominal aps will stay as a primary option for reconstruction in some centres and as a life boat for free ap failure in some