Customized reconstruction of complex three-dimensional defects in the extremities with individual design of vastus lateralis muscle-chimeric multi-lobed anterolateral thigh perforator flap

Abstract

The anterolateral thigh perforator (ALTP) chimeric flap is one of the most popular procedures for the reconstruction of three-dimensional defects in the extremities. However, the problems of donor-site morbidity and inability to repair very large defects in a one-stage procedure remain. The purpose of this study was to present a novel design of ALTP chimeric flap and its various designs for customized reconstruction of complex three-dimensional defects in the extremities. From January 2009 to June 2017, we retrospectively analyzed 25 patients with complex three-dimensional defects in the extremities. All patients in this series underwent extremity reconstruction using vastus lateralis (VL) muscle-chimeric multi-lobed ALTP flaps, consisting of multi-lobed skin paddles and muscle segment on the same pedicle from the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery. Three different types of VL muscle-chimeric multi-lobed ALTP flaps were created in this study. The sizes of the multi-lobed skin paddles range from 10 × 6 cm and 9 × 7 cm to 19 × 9 cm and 20 × 9 cm, and the sizes of muscle segments ranged from 9 × 6 cm to 4 × 4 cm. All of the flaps survived. Only one case required re-exploration because of venous congestion. The primary closure of the donor site was successfully achieved in all patients. The mean follow-up time was 14 months. Most of the cases showed satisfactory contour. The VL muscle-chimeric multi-lobed ALTP flap is a reliable option for reconstruction of complex three-dimensional defects of the extremities. It provided flexible design for customized coverage of complex three-dimensional defects with limited donor-site morbidity.