Plastic surgery projects - Neurovascular island flap perfusion study

Supervisor(s): John Crock

Location: Southern Health Hospital Network

Ph: 9899 6144 or 0412 001 380

Email: john@johncrock.com

The concept of vascular flaps has burgeoned since McGreggor first published his axial pattern flap concept last century. Since the advent of microvascular and musculocutaneous flap surgery in the early 1970’s work in this field escalated. Behan and Wilson, Taylor et al, O’Brien et al, Crock and Taylor, and Cormack and Lamberty have all defined and re-defined the concept of vascular territories. Now Behan has pioneered neurovascular island flaps in the clinical setting, which has in many cases reduced the need for more complex microvascular surgery. His work has been clinically focused, and the emphasis has always been on solving specific reconstructive conundrums.

This study aims to explain the vascular phenomenon that allow neurovascular islands of tissue to be defined and transferred to create predictable, durable and sensate reconstructions in many areas of the body with a minimum of equipment and within a short operation window.

This is a project that has potential to convert into a higher degree, and will be valuable to anyone interested in pursuing a career in plastic and reconstructive surgery.