[The free anterolateral thigh flap for head and neck reconstruction: Technical particularities of the harvesting and results about six cases].
The anterolateral thigh flap is a perforator flap vascularised by one or several perforators arising from the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study is double. On the technical aspect, we have looked for some tricks allowing harvesting the flap easier and reproducible. On the practical aspect, we have evaluated the functional an esthetical result of the reconstruction and the morbidity on donor site.


METHODS
Six patients had a reconstruction using this flap between 2007 and 2007: two patients for oral floor and tongue defect, and four patients for soft tissues defects. The patients ranged in age from 55 to 76 years old, the sex-ratio was four males to two females. The follow-up period ranged from six months to 14 months.


RESULTS
All the flaps survived. The dissections enabled us to make useful and reliable anatomical observations for the surgeon. Concerning the reconstruction of soft tissues defects, the esthetical quality was good. Concerning the reconstruction of oral floor defects, the functional quality was good. There were few complications and morbidity on donor-site.


CONCLUSIONS
The anterolateral thigh free flap is a reliable flap for head and neck defects. It offers an additional alternative to the other flaps. The use of some tricks allows evading the difficulties encountered during the harvest.
Bayol
J-C
JC
Service de chirurgie maxillo-faciale, plastique reconstructrice et esthétique, hôpital Trousseau, CHRU Tours, Tours cedex 9, France. jean-charles.bayol@wanadoo.fr
Sury
F
F
Petraud
A
A
Laure
B
B
Goga
D
D
D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D013848:Thigh / Q000601:surgery*; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods*