Salvage of Knee Joint Tumor Prosthesis Using Turnover Reverse-Flow Descending Branch of Lateral Circumflex Femoral Artery as Recipient Vessel for the Free ALT Flap: A Case Report

Abstract

To report an unusual case using free anterolateral thigh (ALT) fasciocutaneous flap to salvage a knee joint tumor prosthesis. The turnover reverse-flow descending branch of the ipsilateral lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA) was successfully used as a recipient vessel for the contralateral free ALT flap. A 30-year-old male patient with high-grade and fibroblastic-type osteogenic sarcoma at the right proximal tibia received a tumor resection and tumor prosthesis to salvage the right knee joint. No local antegrade recipient vessels were available near the defect at the right knee. No sizable perforator could be found when trying to harvest the reverse ipsilateral ALT flap. The turnover reverse-flow descending branch of the ipsilateral LCFA and its concomitant veins were used as recipient vessels to supply the contralateral free ALT flap. The flap survived well without obvious venous congestion or sequela. The turnover reverse-flow descending branch of the LCFA and its concomitant veins can be successfully used as recipient vessels to supply a free ALT flap.