The parascapular flap for treatment of lower extremity disorders

The parascapular flap was used as a free microvascular transfer for soft-tissue resurfacing of 11 lower extremities. The diagnoses included four cases of osteomyelitis, three cases of vascular ulceration, one case of combined osteomyelitis and vascular ulceration, two cases of posttraumatic heel defects, and one case of extensive soft-tissue contracture overlying a posttraumatic defect of the femur. All cases were successful clinically. Anatomically, the parascapular flap is supplied by the cutaneous parascapular artery, a branch of the circumflex scapular artery, which itself derives from the subscapular artery. Flap territory may reach 15 x 30 cm, and the vascular pedicle can extend 14 cm if the subscapular artery is taken. Advantages of this flap include the constancy, length, and caliber of the vascular pedicle; the length and width attributes, which allow both coverage of large wounds and primary closure of the donor defect; and an absence of disruption of musculoskeletal function.