[Repair of the large skin and vessel defect of upper arm with free anterolateral thigh flap].
OBJECTIVE
To explore an effective method for repairing the large skin and vessel defect of upper arm.


METHODS
The large skin defect was repaired by the free anterolateral thigh flap. The vessel defect was reconstructed with the end branch of descending branch from lateral femoral circumflex artery, or the large muscular branch through bridge-like vascular anastomosis.


RESULTS
Since 2003, 5 cases were treated. All the flaps survived completely with a soft tissue texture. They were followed up for 8-24 months. The cosmetic and functional results were both satisfactory with less morbidity in the donor sites. The blood supply of the flap and the end of extremities was not affected by weather.


CONCLUSIONS
Anterolateral thigh flap is very suitable for large skin and vessel defect of upper arm.
Li
Jin-sheng
JS
Plastic Surgery Center of Hangzhou City First People Hospital, Hangzhou 310006, China. lijinsheng_sd@sina.com
Zhang
Ju-fang
JF
Shen
Hai-yan
HY
Wu
Hong-jun
HJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001134:Arm Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013848:Thigh / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult