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Peer-reviewedCC BYCureus

Outcomes of Soft-Tissue Reconstruction Around the Elbow Using a Lateral Intercostal Artery Perforator-Based Pedicled Flap

  • Faruk Hossain1
  • Md Razaul Karim2
  • Fatema Mirza3
  • Md Abu Nahiyan4
  • Kamruzzaman Akash3
  • Md Ashraful Islam Irfan5
  • Rakibul Islam6
  • Tahmina Satter3
6 affiliations
  1. 1Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Dhaka Community Medical College, Dhaka, BGD
  2. 2Department of Plastic Surgery, National Institute of Traumatology and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation, Dhaka, BGD
  3. 3Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, Dhaka Medical College and Hospital, Dhaka, BGD
  4. 4Department of Plastic Surgery, Mirza Plastic Surgery Center, Dhaka, BGD
  5. 5Department of Medicine, Dhaka Community Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, BGD
  6. 6Medical Strategy, Noora Health, Dhaka, BGD
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Abstract

Background

Soft-tissue defects around the elbow present considerable reconstructive challenges, as effective coverage must be achieved without compromising joint mobility. This study assessed the reconstructive and early functional outcomes of lateral intercostal artery perforator (LICAP)-based pedicled flaps for soft-tissue reconstruction around the elbow.

Methods

This prospective observational study included 30 consecutively enrolled patients who underwent LICAP-based pedicled flap reconstruction at the Department of Plastic Surgery, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, between May 2023 and October 2024. Evaluated outcomes comprised flap survival, flap-related complications, donor-site morbidity, elbow range of motion (ROM), and a predefined composite reconstructive outcome. Elbow ROM was measured with a goniometer at the final follow-up, approximately 30 days after flap division.

Results

The mean patient age was 27.4 ± 10.97 years, and 26 patients were male. Trauma was the cause of 18 defects. Complete flap survival was observed in 27 patients, whereas marginal and partial flap loss occurred in two and one patient, respectively; no patient experienced significant flap loss. Recipient-site wound dehiscence developed in two patients, and donor-site wound dehiscence occurred in three. Primary closure of the donor site was achieved in 29 patients. At the final follow-up, 26 patients demonstrated full elbow ROM, while four had a residual restriction of 10°-15°. Composite outcomes were classified as good in 22 patients and satisfactory in eight; no poor outcomes were recorded.

Conclusions

In appropriately selected patients, LICAP-based pedicled flap reconstruction provided favorable early reconstructive and functional outcomes for soft-tissue defects around the elbow. Comparative studies involving larger patient populations and extended follow-up are warranted.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{hossain2026outcomes,
  title = {{Outcomes of Soft-Tissue Reconstruction Around the Elbow Using a Lateral Intercostal Artery Perforator-Based Pedicled Flap}},
  author = {Faruk Hossain and Md Razaul Karim and Fatema Mirza and Md Abu Nahiyan and Kamruzzaman Akash and Md Ashraful Islam Irfan and Rakibul Islam and Tahmina Satter},
  journal = {Cureus},
  year = {2026},
  month = oct,
  doi = {10.7759/cureus.117371},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13724586},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Outcomes of Soft-Tissue Reconstruction Around the Elbow Using a Lateral Intercostal Artery Perforator-Based Pedicled Flap
AU  - Faruk Hossain
AU  - Md Razaul Karim
AU  - Fatema Mirza
AU  - Md Abu Nahiyan
AU  - Kamruzzaman Akash
AU  - Md Ashraful Islam Irfan
AU  - Rakibul Islam
AU  - Tahmina Satter
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/10/02
JO  - Cureus
DO  - 10.7759/cureus.117371
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13724586
AB  - Background  Soft-tissue defects around the elbow present considerable reconstructive challenges, as effective coverage must be achieved without compromising joint mobility. This study assessed the reconstructive and early functional outcomes of lateral intercostal artery perforator (LICAP)-based pedicled flaps for soft-tissue reconstruction around the elbow.  Methods  This prospective observational study included 30 consecutively enrolled patients who underwent LICAP-based pedicled flap reconstruction at the Department of Plastic Surgery, Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Dhaka, Bangladesh, between May 2023 and October 2024. Evaluated outcomes comprised flap survival, flap-related complications, donor-site morbidity, elbow range of motion (ROM), and a predefined composite reconstructive outcome. Elbow ROM was measured with a goniometer at the final follow-up, approximately 30 days after flap division.  Results  The mean patient age was 27.4 ± 10.97 years, and 26 patients were male. Trauma was the cause of 18 defects. Complete flap survival was observed in 27 patients, whereas marginal and partial flap loss occurred in two and one patient, respectively; no patient experienced significant flap loss. Recipient-site wound dehiscence developed in two patients, and donor-site wound dehiscence occurred in three. Primary closure of the donor site was achieved in 29 patients. At the final follow-up, 26 patients demonstrated full elbow ROM, while four had a residual restriction of 10°-15°. Composite outcomes were classified as good in 22 patients and satisfactory in eight; no poor outcomes were recorded.  Conclusions  In appropriately selected patients, LICAP-based pedicled flap reconstruction provided favorable early reconstructive and functional outcomes for soft-tissue defects around the elbow. Comparative studies involving larger patient populations and extended follow-up are warranted.
SN  - 2168-8184
ER  -