Closure of Large Myelomeningocele Defects Using Dorsal Intercostal Artery Perforator Flap

Abstract

Small meningomylocele defects can be closed primarily. Other repair techniques are required for closure of meningomyelocele defects of >5 cm. In this anomaly, in which random or musculocutaneous flaps are usually used, the technique for skin defect closure should have the following criteria: a safely harvested flap with good blood supply; minimal morbidity in the donor site; closure with adequate thickness to protect the underlying neural structure; and a repair to prevent leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. The dorsal intercostal artery perforator flap is a new perforator flap with a large skin island that can be used safely in the dorsal region. In this article, repair of large skin defects due to myelomeningocele has been attempted using a dorsal intercostal artery perforator flap, and the results are discussed. Copyright © 2011 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.