[Application of free anterolateral thigh adipofascial flap in the correction of facial depression].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the operative technique and therapeutic effect of free anterolateral thigh adipofascial flap in the correction of facial depression.


METHODS
From Oct. 1996 to Jan. 2007, 32 patients with facial depression deformities were treated with free anterolateral thigh adipofascial flaps. The bone defects in 8 cases were corrected with Medpor implants at the same stage.


RESULTS
33 free anterolateral thigh adipofascial flaps were used in 32 patients. 2 flaps were used bilaterally in one patient. The size of the flaps ranged from 12 cm x 8 cm to 20 cm x 11 cm (average, 16.5 cm x 10.5 cm). 30 flaps survived completely. Flap edge resorption happened in 3 flaps within half a year postoperatively. Satisfactory results were achieved in 23 patients after one-stage treatment. Another 9 patients underwent secondary operation 6 months postoperatively. Among them, 6 patients underwent flap liposuction because of fatty appearance, 3 patients underwent fat transplantation because of flap edge resorption. The patients were followed up for 6 months to 2.5 years. All the deformities were improved greatly, and the faces were almost symmetrical. The wounds at the donor sites were primarily healed with no functional morbidity.


CONCLUSIONS
Free anterolateral thigh adipofascial flap is a large size flap. The flap thickness can be adjusted for three-dimensional reconstruction. The vascular anatomy is relatively stable. The bone defects can also be corrected at the same stage.
Gao
Shou-song
SS
Department of Plastic Surgery, Zhejiang Provincial Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital, Hangzhou 310006, China.
Teng
Li
L
Zhang
Zhi-yong
ZY
Jin
Xiao-lei
XL
Lu
Jian-jian
JJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005150:Facial Hemiatrophy / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D013848:Thigh / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult