Inferior epigastric artery skin flaps without rectus abdominis muscle.

The rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap has many advantages, but its disadvantages are also well-known. These are the possibility of abdominal herniation and, in certain situations, its bulk. To overcome these problems, an inferior epigastric artery skin flap without rectus abdominis muscle, pedicled on the muscle perforators and the proximal inferior deep epigastric artery, have been used in two patients. A large flap without muscle can survive on a single muscle perforator.