Novel use of a supraclavicular transverse cervical artery customised perforator flap: A paediatric emergency

• Published in: Journal of plastic, reconstructive & aesthetic surgery reconstructive & aesthetic surgery, 2013-08, Vol.66 (8), p.1138-1141
• Main Authors: Dolan, R.T, O'Duffy, F, Seoighe, D.M, Dias, A, Earley, M.J, O'Dwyer, T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials; Female; Humans; Infant; Paediatric emergency; Perforator Flap - blood supply; Piriform fossa perforation; Plastic Surgery; Pyriform Sinus - diagnostic imaging; Pyriform Sinus - surgery; Radiography; Supraclavicular transverse cervical artery perforator flap
• ISSN: 1748-6815; 1878-0539
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bjps.2012.12.021

Summary Perforation of the piriform fossa is a rare, potentially life-threatening paediatric emergency. Prompt diagnosis and early operative intervention is key to patient survival, yet restoring aerodigestive continuity can pose a significant reconstructive challenge. A seven-month old baby girl presented to an emergency department acutely unwell with a twenty-four-hour history of haemoptysis, cough and worsening respiratory distress. A contrast swallow demonstrated extension of contrast into the retropharyngeal region necessitating immediate surgical intervention. A 3.0 cm × 1.0 cm perforation within the left posterolateral piriform fossa was identified. The defect was repaired with a supraclavicular transverse cervical artery customised perforator flap. This was inset into the piriform fossa luminal defect as a life-saving procedure. Following a stormy post-operative course, the child was discharged home on day 28 of admission and admitted electively 6 weeks later for division of flap pedicle. This case highlights the novel use of this fasciocutaneous island flap to reconstruct an extensive, potentially fatal, piriform fossa defect in an acute paediatric setting. This simple flap design offers timely mobilisation, reliable blood supply, adequate tenuity and surface area, to reconstruct this extensive defect as a life-saving intervention in a profoundly septic child.