🩺 When Less Is More: Rethinking Cancer Reconstruction with the Pedicled Abdominal Flap
In today’s era of high-tech microsurgery, it's easy to forget that simpler techniques can still offer remarkable outcomes, especially for patients battling cancer.
A new case report published in the Jurnal Rekonstruksi dan Esteik revisits a classic method: the pedicled abdominal flap a technique that proves to be more than just an alternative. In many cancer cases, it might actually be the best choice.
🧬 The patient in this case a 48-year-old woman suffered from a chronic ulcer in her upper arm, decades after a severe burn. When malignancy was discovered, the surgical team had to act fast to remove the tumor and rebuild the damaged area. But instead of turning to free flap microsurgery, they used a pedicled abdominal flap, relying on the body's own blood vessels no need for complex anastomosis or high-risk microsurgical techniques.
🔍 Why does this matter?
Because for cancer patients, especially those with limited prognosis or weakened health less invasive, more reliable options can make all the difference. A two-stage procedure, yes, but with fewer complications, faster healing, and better overall outcomes.
This case challenges us to ask: in complex reconstructions, should the goal be complexity or clarity and safety?
🔗 Dive into the full story here:
👉 PEDICLED ABDOMINAL FLAP FOR MALIGNANT DEFECT RECONSTRUCTION: A VIABLE ALTERNATIVE TO FREE FLAP
✍️ By Bertha Kawilarang & Putu Trisna Utami
🔗 DOI:10.20473/jre.v10i1.70946
Let’s not underestimate the power of tried-and-true techniques—especially when lives, and dignity, are on the line.
