Download PDF
J Reconstr Microsurg
DOI: 10.1055/a-2717-4139
Original Article

Safety and Utility of Superficial Circumflex Iliac Perforator versus Superficial Circumflex Iliac Artery Flaps in Pediatric Reconstructive Surgery

Authors

  • Noelle Garbaccio   ‡

    1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
    2   Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

  • Dorien I. Schonebaum   ‡

    1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
    3   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

  • Jade E. Smith

    1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

  • Justin J. Cordero

    1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

  • Lacey Foster

    1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

  • Morvarid Mehdizadeh

    1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

  • Arriyan S. Dowlatshahi

    1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States

  • Samuel J. Lin

    1   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Further Information
Also available at
   Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

Background

The superficial circumflex iliac perforator flap (SCIP-f) is a thinned adaptation of the superficial circumflex iliac artery flap (SCIA-f) that may have superior use flexibility, smaller scar burden, and lesser need for revision, advantages well-suited to pediatric patients. Despite documented success in adults, the safety and utility of SCIP and SCIA-f are underexplored in pediatric populations.

Methods

A systematic review of MEDLINE, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane databases identified 93 articles reporting SCIP/SCIA-f outcomes in patients ≤ 17 years of age. Patient demographics, clinical characteristics, and postoperative outcomes were collected. Cohorts were stratified by SCIP/SCIA and age group. Mann–Whitney U tests compared cohort outcomes.

Results

Thirty-one studies were included, constituting 107 SCIA-f and 57 SCIP-f, with ages 10 weeks to 17 years. Most cases were congenital or traumatic defects in upper/lower extremities. Compared with SCIA-f, SCIP-f demonstrated significantly lower rates of all-cause complications, total flap loss, major and minor complications, and debulking (p < 0.05). All-cause complication rates were also significantly lower across age groups (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

This meta-analysis demonstrates favorable efficacy and safety of SCIP-f in children with congenital and traumatic defects, especially of the extremities. SCIP-f may be considered a reliable option for pediatric reconstruction. Additionally, fewer subsequent procedures for contouring may be required.

Keywords

superficial circumflex iliac - SCIA - SCIP - pediatric reconstruction - groin - LMIC - extremity

Contributors' Statement

N.G. designed the study; N.G., D.I.S, and J.E.S. reviewed articles for inclusion; N.G. and D.I.S. extracted the data; J.J.C. scored article quality; N.G. analyzed the data; N.G. and D.I.S. wrote the manuscript; J.E.S., L.F., M.M, J.J.C. edited the manuscript; S.J.L. guided all activities and edited the final manuscript.


‡ Co-first author.


Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 05 May 2025

Accepted: 20 September 2025

Article published online:
17 November 2025

© 2025. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
333 Seventh Avenue, 18th Floor, New York, NY 10001, USA