Application of a jigsaw puzzle flap based on free-style perforator to repair large scalp defects after tumor resection:A case series

Background:Reconstruction of large scalp defects after tumor resection is common and challenging.Free skin grafting or free flap transfer is always performed.However,these techniques can result in poor functional and cosmetic outcomes.Methods:In the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chengdu Medical College,35 patients underwent jigsaw puzzle flap procedures based on a free-style perforator to repair large scalp defects after tumor resection from May 2013 to November 2022.The key to this procedure was to divide a large defect into several smaller parts that correspond to adjacent free-style perforators around the scalp defect.The free-style perforator flaps were designed in different ways,such as propeller flaps,rotation flaps,and V-Y advancement flaps,which were pedicled with free-style perforators.All of the small flaps were then mobilized to the defect and sutured to each other to create a new,large jigsaw puzzle-like flap to cover the large scalp defect.Finally,all the donor sites were closed directly.Results:Overall,35 patients were treated.The average defect size was 72 cm^(2)(range,25-91 cm^(2)).All flaps had a satisfactory appearance after follow-up periods of 6 months-10 years.Local tumor recurrence occurred in one case.Conclusion:The application of a jigsaw puzzle flap based on a free-style perforator is a suitable option for the reconstruction of large scalp defects after resection,yielding satisfactory functional and cosmetic results.