• Guangxue Li, Lan Mu, Ye Bi, Kai Yang, Yan Liu, Zhe Peng, Yi Zhu, Huiran Zang, Saisai Cao, Peiyang Zhang, and Youlei Qian.
• Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Peking University People's Hospital, Beijing, PR China.
• Medicine (Baltimore). 2018 Jun 1; 97 (25): e11114e11114.

IntroductionThe Pacman flap is a novel modality for repairing round soft-tissue defects after tumor resection. This modality provides a robust blood supply without microsurgical tissue rearrangement. This article reviews the authors' experience with Pacman flap for reconstruction of round soft-tissue defects. The safety and effectiveness of the Pacman flap are investigated.MethodsHere, we describe a method for oncologic reconstruction of round soft-tissue defects with a Pacman flap after tumor resection. Fourteen consecutive patients (6 males and 8 females, median age of 60 years, range, 18-87 years) who received Pacman flaps for oncologic reconstruction during the period from April 2015 to April 2017 were included in the present study.ResultsIn total, 15 Pacman flaps (including 1 bilateral Pacman flap) were created to provide coverage after resection of a tumor from the face (n = 11), chest (n = 1), or extremities (n = 2). One patient had twice previously undergone tumor resection. Median defect size was 25.5 × 25 mm (range, 9 × 9-100 × 90 mm). Median flap size was 35 × 27 mm (range, 12 × 10-120 × 110 mm). Median duration of follow-up was 10 months (range, 6-22 months). No local or distal tumor was observed during the follow-up period. All flaps survived without partial or complete necrosis, infection, or other complications. All patients were satisfied with their aesthetic outcomes. A hematoma formed in 1 patient and was successfully treated with debridement.ConclusionsThe Pacman flap enables the surgeon to achieve tension-free round defect closure after tumor resection, with good functional and aesthetic outcomes. This modality is a reliable and effective reconstructive surgical technique for oncologic reconstruction of round soft-tissue defects.

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