Clinical application of the perforator flap pedicled with the superficial branch of the superficial circumflex iliac artery in head and neck reconstruction surgery.

The superficial circumflex iliac artery (SCIA) perforator flap is supplied by the SCIA, which consists of superficial and deep branches. In this study, the feasibility of using a flap based solely on the superficial branch of the SCIA for reconstruction surgery in the head and neck region was explored. During flap harvesting, the deep branch of the SCIA was discarded, and the superficial branch was dissected as the vascular pedicle; this technique is referred to as the 'simplified SCIA flap. This simplified SCIA flap was used to repair head and neck defects in 16 patients, all of whom were followed up for at least 3 months postoperatively. The superficial branch of the SCIA was successfully identified in all 16 patients. The mean pedicle length of the superficial branch of the artery was 7.2 cm (range 6.2-8.2 cm). The mean diameter of the superficial branch of the artery was 0.7 mm (range 0.6-0.9 mm), while the mean diameter of the accompanying vein was 1.2 mm (range 1.0-1.3 mm). The reconstruction was successful in 15 of the 16 patients. The remaining patient ultimately underwent reconstruction with a left radial forearm free flap. In this case, the skin paddle of the simplified SCIA flap was used as a full thickness skin graft to repair the defect in the forearm donor site. All patients completed speech and swallowing assessments during postoperative follow-up. Compared with the traditional SCIA flap, the simplified SCIA flap is easier to harvest, offers lower donor site morbidity, and results in a well-concealed scar in the iliac region. This flap warrants clinical promotion.