Clinical application of anteromedial thigh perforator flap for coverage of anterolateral thigh flap donor site

Abstract

Objective To investigate the clinical outcomes of repairing the donor site of anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap by a V-Y flap pedicled with anteromedial thigh perforator.Methods From June 2012 to March 2013,6 cases of skin defects in the foot or hand were treated with anterolateral thigh flap.The donor site in these cases was simultaneously repaired with a V-Y flap pedicled with anteromedial thigh perforator.Results All the anterolateral thigh flaps survived uneventfully.Five of the 6 perforating branch V-Y flaps survived,while 1 flap had partial necrosis at the distal end of the flap which healed by dressing change.The patients were followup for 3 to 6 months,with an average of 4 months.The appearance and the texture of the flaps were good.The anterolateral thigh donor area wound healing was leveled with even skin tone.Quadriceps muscle strength and knee movement were normal.There was no numbness of the V-Y flap.Conclusion This procedure is easy and effective.The treatment outcome is satisfactory.It is an improvement over traditional methods to treat donor site defects upon anterolateral thigh flap harvest. Key words: Surgical flaps; Wounds and injuries; Perforator