title: Anterolateral thigh flap-based reconstruction for oncologic vulvar defects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Vulvar defects after tumor extirpation always require immediate reconstruction. Transferring a skin flap from a distant region may be required for large defects. Although the anterolateral thigh flap has gained popularity in other types of oncoplastic surgery, it has rarely been reported for vulvar reconstruction. The aims of this retrospective study were to evaluate the outcome of anterolateral thigh flap-based vulvar reconstruction and to develop an operative strategy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eleven patients with vulvar carcinoma underwent resection and immediate reconstruction with the anterolateral thigh flap between 2005 and 2009. Based on defect type and local soft-tissue quality, four types of anterolateral thigh flap-based reconstructions were performed: unilateral anterolateral thigh flap, ipsilateral anterolateral thigh flap combined with contralateral advancement flap or local flap, fenestrated anterolateral thigh flap, and split anterolateral thigh flap. Postoperative complications were recorded and clinical outcomes were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Partial flap necrosis occurred in one patient with a fenestrated anterolateral thigh flap for bilateral reconstruction. One wound dehiscence occurred in the contralateral local flap. Two patients had prolonged serous drainage. Mean follow-up was 8 months. One patient developed stricture of the urethral meatus and another had regional metastasis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With careful design, the anterolateral thigh flap may provide reliable and durable soft-tissue coverage for various vulvar defects with good outcomes and minimal donor-site morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Beijing, China From the Department of Plastic Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital.
authors.forename: Ang
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.forename: Qun
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Qiao
authors.forename: Ru
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Kexing
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Xiao
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Long
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005205:Fascia / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013848:Thigh / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014844:Vulva / Q000601:surgery*; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*