title: Lower Extremity Limb Salvage After Trauma: Versatility of the Anterolateral Thigh Free Flap.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the outcomes and complications of the anterolateral thigh free flap (ALT FF) versus other free muscle flaps for reconstruction of traumatic defects of the lower extremity.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective review from a single plastic and reconstructive surgical unit comparing outcomes between 2 free flap groups-ALT FF and other commonly used muscle free flaps.
  
  
  METHODS
  Tertiary referral University Hospital Level I Trauma Center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hundred patients who underwent lower extremity salvage for traumatic injuries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Free flap coverage of traumatic lower extremity injuries.
  
  
  METHODS
  Successful for limb salvage, intraoperative and postoperative complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Categorical variables were analyzed using χ and Fisher exact tests; continuous variables were examined using Wilcoxon rank-sum test.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ALT FF is equivalent in success to other traditional nonfasciocutaneous free flaps but may provide a more durable supple coverage with all components of the native soft-tissue envelop that can be tailored to the reconstructive needs of the traumatized lower extremity. Limb salvage outcomes may still be heavily influenced by the original severity of injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic Level III. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
authors.affiliation: Departments of *Surgery, Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and †Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA.
authors.forename: Christopher
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bibbo
authors.forename: Jonas
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nelson
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Fischer
authors.forename: Liza C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Low
authors.forename: Samir
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mehta
authors.forename: Stephen J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kovach
authors.forename: L Scott
authors.initials: LS
authors.lastname: Levin
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010414:Pennsylvania / Q000453:epidemiology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016879:Salvage Therapy / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016896:Treatment Outcome