Functional evaluation of anterolateral thigh flap donor sites: isokinetic torque comparisons for knee function.
BACKGROUND
The anterolateral thigh flap is thought to have minor donor site morbidity, but muscle dissection is unavoidable when skin perforator vessels run through the vastus lateralis muscle. The purpose of this study was to investigate the functional problems associated with the anterolateral thigh flap donor site.


METHODS
We evaluated 12 patients who underwent free anterolateral thigh flap transfer between March 2003 and November 2005. A questionnaire and dynamic functional evaluation of the knee joint using the Biodex System were performed preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively.


RESULTS
No patients reported any disturbance in their daily life. No significant differences were found between donor and normal thighs on isokinetic power tests of the quadriceps muscle.


CONCLUSIONS
The function of the donor site after harvesting the anterolateral thigh flap was maintained. Damage to or functional disturbance of the donor site is minimal even if muscle is injured when harvesting the flap.
Tsuji
Naoko
N
Department of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan. tuntino@hotmail.com
Suga
Hirotaka
H
Uda
Koichi
K
Sugawara
Yasushi
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D052097:Quadriceps Muscle / Q000293:injuries / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013848:Thigh; D014019:Tissue Donors; D019415:Torque