title: Groin reconstruction using a pedicled anterolateral thigh flap.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This article describes an attractive approach to the reconstruction of the groin after loss of substance: the skin, subcutaneous tissue and fascia of the rectus abdominis and oblique muscles were reconstructed using an anterolateral thigh flap based on a proximal vascular pedicle.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 70-year-old female with a strangulated inguinal hernia that had been neglected for eight days presented initially with intestinal necrosis and necrotizing infection of the abdominal wall in the right groin. After debridement of necrotic tissue, reconstructive surgery was necessary. We opted for an anterolateral thigh flap based on a proximal vascular pedicle.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In this case, there was a major loss of substance that included the rectus abdominis fascia below the level of the arcuate line. This situation required a fascial reconstruction of the abdominal wall; a defect of this size would typically require synthetic mesh for closure. The anterolateral thigh flap allowed us to avoid the use of foreign material by repairing the defect with a pedicle flap including fascia lata and the quadriceps aponeurosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of an anterolateral thigh flap based on a proximal vascular pedicle seems to be a simple straightforward solution for reconstruction of the skin and fascia of the inguinal region.
authors.affiliation: Service de chirurgie maxillo-facial et plastique, hôpital Beaujon, 100, boulevard Général-Leclerc, 92110 Clichy, France. Electronic address: benilud@hotmail.fr.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Benichou
authors.affiliation: Service de chirurgie maxillo-facial et plastique, hôpital Beaujon, 100, boulevard Général-Leclerc, 92110 Clichy, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Caillot
authors.affiliation: Service de chirurgie maxillo-facial et plastique, hôpital Beaujon, 100, boulevard Général-Leclerc, 92110 Clichy, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vacher
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006119:Groin / Q000601:surgery*; D006552:Hernia, Inguinal / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013848:Thigh
keywords: Abdominal wall; Anterolateral thigh flap; Groin; Reconstruction