The bilobed arterialized venous free flap for simultaneous coverage of 2 separate defects of a digit

We report a case of a 17-year-old patient who sustained multiple finger contusions on the left hand. After thorough debridement, the volar and dorsal defects of the middle finger were covered simultaneously with bilobed arterialized venous free flap from the left forearm. The flap was composed of 2 paddles, which were connected by a subcutaneous bridge containing a subcutaneous venous network. The subdermal plexus in the bridge was interrupted with no impairment of blood supply to the second cutaneous paddle. The flap survived completely with only temporary mild venous congestion. Excellent functional and cosmetic result was reached. We consider bilobed arterialized venous free flap as a useful optio

New technique of total phalloplasty with reinnervated latissimus dorsi myocutaneous free flap in female-to-male transsexuals

From December 2001 to September 2005, the technique of total penile reconstruction with a reinnervated free latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap was used in 22 patients (24–38 years old) with gender dysphoria. These patients were followed up for at least 11 months (range, 11–44 months). All flaps survived. Complications include hematoma (7 cases), vascular thrombosis (2 cases), partial necrosis (1 case), excessive swelling of the neophallus (3 cases), and skin graft loss at the donor site (1 case). Of the 19 patients included in the final evaluation, the transplanted muscle was able to obtain contraction in 18 (95%) cases and 8 patients (42%) had sexual intercourse by contracting the muscle to stiffen and move the neopenis. The described technique of neophalloplasty proved to be a reliable technique and the muscle movement in the neophallus can be expected in almost all cases. The muscle contraction in the neophallus leads to “paradox” erection—stiffening, widening, and shortening of the neopenis, which allows for sexual intercourse in some patients. Subsequent reconstruction of the urethra is possible