[Versatility of the free serratus flap in microsurgical reconstruction: Evaluation of a series of 100 cases].

In the era of microsurgery and with the more recent advent of flaps, it is interesting to highlight the value of the serratus muscle flap in microsurgical reconstruction. A total of 100 flaps were performed in our department between 2001 and 2022, with 85% of cases in a post-traumatic context (acute or septic). There were 83 male and 17 female patients. The mean age was 40.5years, with extremes ranging from 11 to 76years. The origin of the tissue loss was as follows: acute trauma 73 cases; chronic/septic wound 19 cases; purpura fulminans 2 cases; tumour 6 cases. The size of the loss of substance varied from 15 to 200cm, with an average of 90cm. Four different types of flap were used: muscle flap ( 78 cases), musculocutaneous flap (5 cases), costo-osteomuscular flap (13 cases), costo-osteomusculocutaneous flap (4 cases). In all cases where the rib was taken, it was the 8th rib and sometimes the 7th. These vascularised rib flaps were performed for bone loss ranging from 5 to 12cm. In our series, there was a 6% complication rate at the recipient site (3 haematomas, 2 pneumothoraxes and one case of chronic pain). The overall success rate in our series was 82.8%, with only 20% of general complications and 6% of donor site complications, with very little aesthetic scarring or functional damage to the donor site. This flap, which is rarely used, is particularly interesting for limb reconstruction, as all its parameters can be adjusted according to the defect, and the length of its pedicle means that it can also be used to perform anastomoses at a distance from the traumatised area. It also offers the possibility of reconstructing a bony defect with a composite costal harvest.