Anterolateral Thigh Fasciocutaneous Flap Research Articles

Anterolateral thigh flap for phalloplasty - Gandhi Hospital technique: An innovative method

The objective of this paper is to report on the innovative technique of using Anterolateral Thigh Fasciocutaneous Thigh Island flap for the reconstruction of penis following Electrical Burns .This is an addition in the armamentariom of reconstructive surgeon doing phalloplasty. The advantages are that this is a single stage procedure, in the same operative field, can be undertaken under Epidural anesthesia and can be undertaken in a place without infrastructure to perform a microvascular surgery. In addition, we presume that the flap will have similar sensation as the penis to an extent.

Simultaneous Bilateral Microvascular Tissue Transfer for Soft-Tissue Defects of the Lower Extremities in Pyoderma Gangrenosum

Pyoderma gangrenosum is a necrotizing skin disease of unknown etiology. The lesions are painful and occur mostly on the lower extremities, either single or multiple, but can appear in any region of the body. The authors report a case of pyoderma gangrenosum involving bilateral skin lesions over the anterior surface of the legs in a 13-year-old male patient. The lesions presented with ulcerative colitis, which is one of the most commonly associated diseases of pyoderma gangrenosum. After examination, systemic immunosuppressive treatment was administered and the progression of the disease was controlled. The lesions were treated with the simultaneous application of two free anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous flaps after radical debridement. The procedure was successfully performed and no recurrence was observed. Although microvascular free tissue transfer cannot be performed in a standard fashion in pyoderma gangrenosum cases because of the risk of pathergy response, it should be considered as a surgical option in selected cases, otherwise difficult to manage, with the simultaneous application of appropriate systemic medical treatment.

Anterolateral Thigh Flap Reconstruction of Large External Facial Skin Defects: A Follow-Up Study on Functional and Aesthetic Recipient- and Donor-Site Outcome

The purpose of this study was to investigate the subjective and the objective functional and aesthetic follow-up results of the recipient and donor sites after reconstruction of extensive facial defects with the anterolateral thigh flap. Between December of 2001 and April of 2003, the anterolateral thigh flap was used to reconstruct large facial skin defects after malignant tumor resection in 23 white patients. All patients had a standardized interview, physical examination, and clinical photographs. The mean flap size was 108 cm2. Fasciocutaneous anterolateral thigh flaps were used in 15 patients and musculocutaneous flaps were used in eight patients with exposed dura, open sinuses, or orbital defects. An extra free osteocutaneous fibula flap was necessary to reconstruct the affected mandible in 10 patients. The donor site was skin grafted in 18 patients. The flap survival rate was 96 percent. At follow-up, color mismatch (71 percent) and flap bulkiness (50 percent) were encountered most often. Four of five patients with speech problems had received an additional free osteocutaneous fibula flap. Three flap contractures were seen in the neck region. A contour defect of the upper leg was encountered in five patients. Sensory disturbances of the upper leg were observed in 12 patients. Cold intolerance occurred three times after skin grafting. No significant impairment was found in range of motion and muscle strength of the donor leg. Careful patient selection may further improve aesthetic outcome of the anterolateral thigh flap. The versatility in design and composition of the anterolateral thigh flap and the low donor-site morbidity and satisfactory recipient-site outcome make it a valuable option in reconstruction of external skin defects in the head and neck region.

Abdominal Wall Reconstruction with Pedicled Anterolateral Thigh Fasciocutaneous Flap in Infected Abdominal Mesh-One Case Report

The infection rate following abdominal wall reconstruction by using mesh has been reported to be about 8%-16%. This is a difficult and frustrating problem and may result in mesh exposure, persistent discharging sinus and enterocutaneous fistula. Conservative management is a time-consuming procedure and the patients suffer from an open discharging wound for long time. We performed radical excision of the infected mesh and then reconstructed with the pedicled anterolateral thigh flap as a one-stage procedure. The integrity of the abdominal fascia was restored with fascia lata and at 9 months follow-up, no ventral hernia was observed. Although this is just a single case report, we believe that this technique can decrease the patient's suffering and hospital stay, and it deserves further investigation.

Reliability of free-flap coverage in diabetic foot ulcers

As microsurgery advances, microsurgical free-tissue transfers have become the reconstructive method of choice over staged or primary amputation, and enabling independent ambulation in difficult lower-extremity wounds. In this report, we present our experiences with free-tissue transfer for the reconstruction of soft-tissue defects in 13 diabetic foot ulcers. Following radical debridement, soft-tissue reconstruction was achieved in the following ways: anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous flap in 5 patients, radial forearm fasciocutaneous flap in 3 patients, lateral arm fasciocutaneous flap in 1 patient, gracilis musculocutaneous flap in 1 patient, tensor fascia latae flap in 1 patient, deep inferior epigastric perforator flap in 1 patient, and a parascapular flap in the remaining patient. In 8 cases, diabetic wounds were in the foot, while wounds were at the level of the lower leg in the remaining patients. In all patients, vascular patency was confirmed by the Doppler technique. In suspicious cases, arteriography was then performed. While all flaps survived well in the postoperative period, one patient died from cardiopulmonary problems on postoperative day 16 in an intensive care unit. Amputation was necessary in the early postoperative period because of healing problems. In the remaining 10 cases, all flaps survived intact. In one case, arterial revision was performed successfully. The ultimate limb salvage rate was 83% for the 12 patients. Independent ambulation was achieved in these cases. During the follow-up period of 8 months to 2 years, no ulcer recurrence was noted, and no revascularization or vascular bypass surgery was needed before or after the free-tissue transfers. The authors conclude that free-tissue transfer for diabetic foot ulcers is a reliable procedure, despite pessimistic opinions regarding the flap survival and low limb salvage rates. It should be considered a useful reconstructive option for serious defects in well-selected cases.

Can Indications for Lower Limb Replantation and Revascularization be Expanded with Simultaneous Free-Flap Transfer for Limb Salvage?

High-energy trauma from road accidents and work-related injuries is the most common cause of lower-limb traumatic amputations. Many of these cases require extensive debridement and substantial bone shortening for primary closure because of crushing and/or avulsion of the involved parts. Since 1998, the authors have replanted or revascularized five lower limbs in five patients. Free tissue transfers have been used to cover soft-tissue defects during replantation and revascularization in all patients. The numbers and kinds of free flaps include one latissimus dorsi muscle, two transverse rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (TRAM), and two anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous flaps. Survival of the replanted and revascularized limbs and transferred flaps was obtained in four patients. Below-knee amputation was performed because of flap necrosis and extensive infection in one patient. Simultaneous free-tissue transfers may be used simultaneously with lower limb replantation or revascularization to obtain functional extremities in appropriately selected patients. The indications for lower limb salvage may be enhanced and successful results may be obtained in one stage, with low complication rates and shorter hospital stays. The authors report their experience with simultaneous free tissue transfers and lower limb replantation or revascularization.

Have we found an ideal soft-tissue flap? An experience with 672 anterolateral thigh flaps.

The free anterolateral thigh flap is becoming one of the most preferred options for soft-tissue reconstruction. Between June of 1996 and August of 2000, 672 anterolateral thigh flaps were used in 660 patients at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital. Four hundred eighty-four anterolateral thigh flaps were used for head and neck region recontruction in 475 patients, 58 flaps were used for upper extremity reconstruction in 58 patients, 121 flaps were used for lower extremity reconstruction in 119 patients, and nine flaps were used for trunk reconstruction in nine patients. Of the 672 flaps used in total, a majority (439) were musculocutaneous perforator flaps. Sixty-five were septocutaneous vessel flaps. Of these 504 flaps, 350 were fasciocutaneous and 154 were cutaneous flaps. Of the remaining 168 flaps, 95 were musculocutaneous flaps, 63 were chimeric flaps, and the remaining ten were composite musculocutaneous perforator flaps with the tensor fasciae latae. Total flap failure occurred in 12 patients (1.79 percent of the flaps) and partial failure occurred in 17 patients (2.53 percent of the flaps). Of the 12 flaps that failed completely, five were reconstructed with second anterolateral thigh flaps, four with pedicled flaps, one with a free radial forearm flap, one with skin grafting, and one with primary closure. Of the 17 flaps that failed partially, three were reconstructed with anterolateral thigh flaps, one with a free radial forearm flap, five with pedicled flaps, and eight with primary suture, skin grafting, and conservative methods. In this large series, a consistent anatomy of the main pedicle of the anterolateral thigh flap was observed. In cutaneous and fasciocutaneous flaps, the skin vessels (musculocutaneous perforators or septocutaneous vessels) were found and followed until they reached the main pedicle, regardless of the anatomic position. There were only six cases in this series in which no skin vessels were identified during the harvesting of cutaneous or fasciocutaneous anterolateral thigh flaps. In 87.1 percent of the cutaneous or fasciocutaneous flaps, the skin vessels were found to be musculocutaneous perforators; in 12.9 percent, they were found as septocutaneous vessels. The anterolateral thigh flap is a reliable flap that supplies a large area of skin. This flap can be harvested irrespective of whether the skin vessels are septocutaneous or musculocutaneous. It is a versatile soft-tissue flap in which thickness and volume can be adjusted for the extent of the defect, and it can replace most soft-tissue free flaps in most clinical situations.

Anterolateral Thigh Fasciocutaneous Flap in the Difficult Perineogenital Reconstruction

A pedicled anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous flap that was used to cover a complicated perineogenital defect after bilateral gracilis myocutaneous flap for perineal reconstruction is presented. The indications and advantages of this approach are outlined. This technique offers to the plastic surgeon and gynecologic oncologist a new option in the armamentarium for reconstruction of the perineum, and it offers the patient reduced donor-site morbidity.

Free Anterolateral Thigh Flaps for Reconstruction of Head and Neck Defects

The anterolateral thigh flap is a septocutaneous artery flap based on the septocutaneous or muscle perforators of the lateral circumflex femoral system. Little has been reported about the variations in its vascular anatomy and its application for head and neck reconstruction. We report 22 cases in which this flap was used for the reconstruction of head and neck defects. Based on our clinical and cadevaric experiences, the derivation of the vascular pedicle of this flap has four variations by which the septocutaneous perforators are derived from the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral system and/or from the transverse branch of that system, or for which there are no septocutaneous perforators but there are muscle perforators originating from the lateral circumflex femoral system. Clinically, the vascular variations and the locations of perforators of this system can be determined preoperatively with stereoangiograms or simple angiograms and Doppler audiometry. The anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous flap is suitable for reconstruction of defects in an oral floor with tongue and esophageal deficits, scalp defects with dural defects, and for large full thickness defects of the lip. The advantages of this flap are safe elevation, a long and wide vascular pedicle, skin that is generally thin, and good pliability. Even if the skin is thick, a thinner flap can be created by sacrificing a large amount of fatty tissue. Furthermore, the skin territory is very wide and long. The donor defect can often be closed directly with its scar being less noticeable. The disadvantage of this flap is that the anatomy of the pedicle vessels has irregular derivation from the main vessels. This can be overcome, however, by employing preoperative stereoangiograms.