Clinical application of free super-thin anterolateral femoral perforator flap

Abstract

Objective To explore clinical effect of repairing soft tissue defect in forearm, hand and foot with free super-thin anterolateral thigh perforator flaps. Methods At first the site of perforator vessels were determined by Doppler, then the flaps were designed and harvested with the site as center; the fascia lata and subcutaneous fat were removed by sandhill-likely only the 4.0 cm × 3.0 cm - 3.0 cm×2.5 cm disc-like fascia lata and dermis layer were reserved. 15 traumatic soft tissue defects including forearm, hand and foot were repaired with the ree super-thin antemlateral thigh perforator flaps. Results No vascular crisis happened and all skin grafts survived in donor sites. 2.0 cm×1.2 cm of the distal of flap was necrosis in 1 case and it was healed by dress changing. 15 cases were followed up 3 months-2 years and the average is 6 months. The contour and texture of all flaps were good and two point discrimination (2-PD) was about 8-10 mm of. Conclusions The contour and texture of free super-thin anterolateral thigh perforator flap are good, the feeling of recipient site recovered well, it's less injury for donor site and there is no reshaping for flap. It is a fineness donor site for repairing soft tissue defects in hand and foot. Key words: Anterolateral femoral flap; Perforator flap; Microsurgery