title: Reconstruction of foot and ankle defects with a free anterolateral thigh flap in pediatric patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There are a limited number of published studies describing reconstruction with an anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap following lower extremity injury in pediatric patients. The aim of this study was to present our experiences with the application of a free ALT flap not only in the reconstruction of soft tissue defects around the pediatric foot and ankle but also in patients with bone, tendon, and ligament injuries that require repair.
  
  
  METHODS
  Reconstruction with a free ALT flap was performed in 11 pediatric patients (mean age, 8.9 years; range, 3-15 years) between November 2010 and February 2013. The modes of injury were as follows: six traffic accidents, three firearm accidents, one agricultural machinery accident, and one bicycle chain accident. A retrospective evaluation of the applied surgical procedures was performed: flap size, perforator type and number, placement area, site of anastomosis, closure of the donor site, complications, and flap survival.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean size of the skin flap was 83.2 mm(2) (range, 48-117 mm(2)). Except for two patients, there were two perforators in the obtained flaps, which were 75% musculocutaneous and 25% septocutaneous. To strengthen the Achilles tendon in one patient, the ALT, together with the fascia lata, was raised as a composite flap. This flap was used as a "sensate flap" in three patients with defects in the heel area and as a "perforator flap" in seven patients. Anastomosis was performed in the anterior tibial artery in five patients and in the posterior tibial artery in six patients. Primary closure was performed for the donor site in all patients. Due to venous thrombus after 24 hours in one patient, reexploration was performed, and blood flow was regained with a vein graft. In the same patient, partial necrosis developed on the lateral edge of the flap; after debridement of the necrotic areas, closure was performed with a split thickness skin graft. After the ALT flap procedure, the primary flap survival rate was 90.9%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The free ALT flap could be a safe, reliable, and aesthetically appealing option for foot/ankle resurfacing in children after traumatic soft tissue loss. The ALT flap can cover a far greater area and provide the versatility needed to optimize soft-tissue coverage.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV.
authors: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Medical School of Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey.
authors: Mehmet Ali
authors: MA
authors: Acar
authors: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Medical School of Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey.
authors: Ali
authors: A
authors: Güleç
authors: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Medical School of Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey.
authors: Bahattin Kerem
authors: BK
authors: Aydin
authors: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Medical School of Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey.
authors: Ömer Faruk
authors: ÖF
authors: Erkoçak
authors: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Medical School of Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey.
authors: Güney
authors: G
authors: Yilmaz
authors: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Medical School of Selcuk University, Konya, Turkey.
authors: Hakan
authors: H
authors: Şenaran
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000293:injuries; D000293:Adolescent; D016512:Ankle Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D018409:Foot Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D014948:Wounds, Gunshot / Q000601:surgery