Indications and contraindications

Authors: Rami Mossad Ibrahim, Magnus Obinah, Magnus Balslev Avnstorp MD, Peter Stemann, Birgitte Jul Kiil and Christian Kaare Paaskesen Med. Stud.

Indications for microsurgical flaps

Classic indications are reconstruction of defects following cancer resections or traumatic injuries in cases where local flaps are not sufficient or consist of relevant tissues for adequate reconstruction. I.e. breast reconstruction following mastectomy and radiation therapy or mandibular reconstruction using a free fibula bone graft. Follow links in the beginning of this chapter for the specific perforator flap.

Contraindications for microsurgical flaps

Severely ill patients where the patient will not survive intensive longer surgery.

A relative contraindication may be massive tumor masses where no salvage surgery is available, but in these cases debulking followed by a flap for cover of defect may be a choice.