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Background:. Partial phalloplasty flap loss presents an evolving challenge, largely due to the complex demands required for both aesthetics and function. We describe our novel experience using the superficial circumflex iliac perforator (SCIP) propeller flap for neophallus salvage when skin grafting alone provides insufficient soft tissue bulk or coverage. Methods:. We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent SCIP propeller flap reconstruction after phalloplasty partial flap loss. After suprafascial dissection, superficial circumflex iliac vessel perforator(s) were isolated toward the femoral origin. The flap was rotated 180 degrees and inset into the ventral or distal neophallus depending on the region of flap loss. If glans reconstruction was required, the flap was tubularized before inset. Division and inset were performed at a second stage, followed by subsequent glansplasty, urethral creation, and/or penile implant placement. Results:. SCIP propeller flap reconstruction was performed for four patients after one to six debridements at a mean of 6.5 (range 1.0-19.2) months following the initial phalloplasty. Three patients had lost the ventral phallus due to venous insufficiency, arterial insufficiency, and excessive postoperative swelling, respectively. The fourth patient experienced near-total loss of the glans following penile implant insertion. Division and inset was performed at an average of 7.5 (range 5.0-12.0) weeks after SCIP flap. There were no complications related to SCIP flap viability. Conclusion:. The SCIP propeller flap allows salvage of partial flap loss following phalloplasty by providing thin, pliable soft tissue bulk and skin coverage with minimal donor site morbidity, without the need for microsurgery, allowing progression with subsequent reconstructive stages.

Background:. The use of multiple cables of sural nerve autograft is common for peripheral nerve reconstruction when injured nerve caliber exceeds the nerve graft caliber. Although the optimal matching of neural to nonneural elements and its association with functional outcomes are unknown, it is reasonable to consider maximizing the neural tissue structure available for nerve regeneration. No prior studies have compared directly the cross-sectional fascicular area between cabled nerve autografts and size-selected nerve allografts. This study evaluated the cross-sectional fascicular area between native nerve stumps and two reconstructive nerve grafting methods: cabled sural nerve autograft (CSNA) and processed nerve allograft (PNA). Methods:. CSNA from matched cadaveric specimens and PNA were used to reconstruct nerve defects in the median and ulnar nerves of six pairs of cadaveric specimens. Nerve reconstructions were done by fellowship-trained hand surgeons. The total nerve area, fascicular area, and nonfascicular area were measured histologically. Results:. The CSNA grafts had significantly less fascicular area than PNA and caliber-matched native nerve. The PNA grafts had a significantly higher percent fascicular area compared with the intercalary CNSA graft. Conclusions:. Fascicular area was significantly greater in PNA versus CSNA. The PNA consistently demonstrated a match in fascicular area closer to the native nerve stumps than CSNA, where CSNA had significantly smaller fascicular area compared with native nerve stumps.