Clinical experience using a tensor fascia lata flap in oncology patients.
OBJECTIVE
The tensor fascia lata (TFL) flap is used to reconstruct various anatomical structures in different regions of the body. We herein describe the use of TFL flaps for a variety of indications, and discuss the results of such procedures with respect to postoperative complications in oncology patients.


METHODS
We reviewed 15 oncology patients who were treated with TFL flaps.


RESULTS
The lesions were located in the groin in five patients, the lower abdomen in five, and the buttocks, ischium, shoulder, thigh and upper abdomen in one patient each. Abdominal wall reconstruction was performed in nine patients. Three patients underwent resection of femoral vessels and the tumor in the groin, followed by a vascular graft implant. In these patients, the combined flaps were transferred to reconstruct the defects. Nine patients developed complications. No total flap loss occurred in any patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Postoperative complications, such as necrosis in the distal part of the flap (33 %) and ventral hernias (11 %) were seen, but these percentages were comparable to those seen in previous reports. Our review shows that the TFL flap is useful to reconstruct the defects in various anatomical sites in oncology patients.
Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Hokkaido Cancer Center, Kikusui 4-2, Shiroishi-ku, Sapporo, 003-0804, Japan, rogoredo84@gmail.com.
Akira
A
Saito
Hidehiko
H
Minakawa
Noriko
N
Saito
Kazuo
K
Isu
Hiroaki
H
Hiraga
Toshihisa
T
Osanai
D034861:Abdominal Wall / Q000601:surgery; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods; D005206:Fascia Lata / Q000473:pathology / Q000637:transplantation*; D005260:Female; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery; D005268:Femoral Vein / Q000601:surgery; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009336:Necrosis; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome