We report cases who underwent vascularized flaps for dermal soft tissue defects of the lower extremities in children. Subjects were patients treated at our department during the past 15 years. They consisted of 10 boys and 2 girls aged 3 to 15 years, with an average age of 8.1 years.
A total of 12 flaps, 3 scapular flaps, and 9 peroneal vascular island reverse flaps were transfered. All flaps survived.
The vascularized flap proved better than free skin graft. Because it grows as the child grows older, ulcers rarely occur. Peroneal vascular island flaps are safe and able to cover massive skin defects without causing microvascular anastomoses. Scapular flaps as free flaps often numerous advantages including increased safety and ability without vascular anatomical variation. These results suggest that the vascularized flap is useful for the coverage of skin defects in children.
