TY  - JOUR
AU  - Asti, Chiara
AU  - Ciatti, Corrado
AU  - Quattrini, Fabrizio
AU  - Rosato, Luca
AU  - Navach, Valeria
AU  - Coppola, Sara
AU  - Pennacchioli, Elisabetta
AU  - Garusi, Cristina
TI  - Propeller flaps in soft tissue sarcoma’s defects: Analysis and discussion of current literature
PY  - %2026/%08/%07
Y2  - %2026/%08/%27
JF  - Acta Biomedica Atenei Parmensis
JA  - Acta Biomed
VL  - 97
IS  - 4
SE  - ORIGINAL RESEARCH ARTICLE - ORTHOPAEDICS AND SURGERY
DO  - 10.23750/abm.2026.18128
UR  - https://doi.org/10.23750/abm.2026.18128
SP  - 18128
AB  - Background and Aim: Propeller flaps have been described as local flaps for soft tissue reconstruction in various anatomical regions, defined as “an island flap that reaches the recipient site through an axial rotation.” The distinctive feature of propeller flaps compared to other pedicled flaps lies in their rotation around a central pivot point. Due to their versatility, ability to achieve like-to-like reconstruction, and minimal donor-site morbidity, propeller flaps have gained widespread use in reconstructive surgery for traumatic defects, tumor excisions, burns, and infections. The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of propeller flaps in oncological reconstruction and to compare them with free flap procedures.Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 38 patients affected by soft tissue sarcomas who underwent reconstructive surgery following tumor excision. Nineteen patients (50%) were treated with propeller flaps and nineteen (50%) with free flaps. Clinical outcomes, including flap survival, complication rates, and salvage procedures, were assessed and compared between the two groups.Results: Both propeller and free flaps achieved satisfactory reconstructive outcomes with comparable rates of flap survival. Propeller flaps demonstrated reduced operative time and donor site morbidity, while maintaining acceptable safety and reliability in oncological settings. Complications were effectively managed with conservative or minor surgical interventions, and overall salvage rates were consistent with data reported in the literature.Conclusions: Propeller flaps represent a reliable and versatile reconstructive option in oncological soft tissue surgery, offering a valid alternative to free flaps in selected patients. Their use allows adequate defect coverage with minimal donor site morbidity and satisfactory functional and aesthetic outcomes, supporting their role as a safe and efficient technique in modern reconstructive oncology.
ER  -