J Reconstr Microsurg 2004; 20(2): 115-122
DOI: 10.1055/s-2004-820766
Copyright © 2004 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA

Further Experience with the Medial Circumflex FemoralGRACILIS Perforator Free Flap

Geoffrey G. Hallock1
  • 1Division of Plastic Surgery, The Lehigh Valaley Hospitals, Allentown, Pennsylvania
Further Information

Publication History

accepted: September 8, 2003

Publication Date:
09 March 2004 (online)

The microsurgical transfer of the medial groin skin territory previously required this to be part of a transverse-oriented gracilis musculocutaneous free flap. As the concept of muscle perforator flaps has evolved, avoidance of muscle bulk and/or retention of muscle function here is also possible with the careful intramuscular dissection of the gracilis musculocutaneous perforators back to the usual medial circumflex femoral source vessel. This so-called medial circumflex femoralGRACILIS [MCFGRACILIS] perforator free flap has been successfully used seven times in six patients with minimal complications.

The MCFGRACILIS muscle perforator flap may well represent the ideal skin flap: no muscle function is sacrificed; a reliable skin territory of large size is available; the dominant vascular pedicle is consistent in location; the flap may be harvested with the patient in a supine position; a combined conjoint flap including the gracilis muscle is optional; closure of the donor site leaves a medial groin scar that can be readily concealed; and flap dissection in this region is already very familiar to most microsurgeons.

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Geoffrey G HallockM.D. 

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