Alternative reconstructive choices for anterolateral thigh flap dissection in cases in which no sizable skin perforator is available.
BACKGROUND
Alternative choices were proposed to facilitate a successful reconstruction when no sizable skin perforator is encountered in anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap dissection.


METHODS
Alternative choices such as harvest of a tensor fascia latae (TFL) flap, elevation of an anteromedial thigh (AMT) flap, use of a free muscle component with full-thickness skin graft coverage, and use of another donor flap were performed.


RESULTS
Between August 1995 and December 2006, 10 of 923 patients underwent ALT flap elevation with no sizable perforators. Of them, each of the 4 patients received reconstruction with a free TFL flap, 3 with an AMT flap, 2 with a free muscle flap, and 1 with a radial forearm flap. There was 1 TFL flap failure due to postoperative venous thrombosis, and the defect was repaired by an AMT flap.


CONCLUSIONS
When no sizable perforator is encountered, successful reconstruction could still be achieved by the proposed alternative choices.
Hsieh
Ching-Hua
CH
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Hsien, Taiwan. m93chinghua@gmail.com
Yang
Johnson Chia-Shen
JC
Chen
Chien-Chang
CC
Kuo
Yur-Ren
YR
Jeng
Seng-Feng
SF
D000328:Adult; D005206:Fascia Lata / Q000637:transplantation; D005260:Female; D005542:Forearm; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000637:transplantation; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D013848:Thigh