title: Suprafascial Anterolateral Thigh Flap Harvest: A Better Way to Minimize Donor-Site Morbidity in Head and Neck Reconstruction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes and donor-site morbidity between the suprafascial and subfascial harvesting of anterolateral thigh flaps.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-one patients who underwent free flap reconstruction (30 suprafascial and 31 subfascial anterolateral thigh flaps) were included in this study. The patients assessed the subjective donor-site morbidity and satisfaction with the overall functional result using a self-reported questionnaire. The flap characteristics (i.e., perforator number, flap size, and harvest time) and outcomes (i.e., success rate, partial necrosis, infection, hematoma, and fistula) were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The success rates of suprafascial and subfascial anterolateral thigh flaps were 96.7 and 96.8 percent, respectively. There were no significant differences in flap size, harvest time, or overall complication rates. The suprafascial anterolateral thigh flap group experienced fewer abnormal sensations (p < 0.001) and better subjective satisfaction at the donor site than did the subfascial anterolateral thigh flap group (p = 0.03).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In terms of reducing donor-site morbidity, the suprafascial anterolateral thigh flap group showed fewer sensory disturbances in donor thighs and exhibited better patient satisfaction than did the subfascial anterolateral thigh flap group, but meticulous dissection of tiny perforators above the fascia is required for the former procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic, III.
authors.affiliation: Kaohsiung, Taiwan; and Zurich, Switzerland.|From the Departments of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Radiation Oncology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine; and the Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Zurich.
authors.forename: Yen-Chou
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Kaohsiung, Taiwan; and Zurich, Switzerland.|From the Departments of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Radiation Oncology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine; and the Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Zurich.
authors.forename: Mario F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Scaglioni
authors.affiliation: Kaohsiung, Taiwan; and Zurich, Switzerland.|From the Departments of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Radiation Oncology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine; and the Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Zurich.
authors.forename: Leonardo Enrique
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Carrillo Jimenez
authors.affiliation: Kaohsiung, Taiwan; and Zurich, Switzerland.|From the Departments of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Radiation Oncology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine; and the Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Zurich.
authors.forename: Johnson Chia-Shen
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Kaohsiung, Taiwan; and Zurich, Switzerland.|From the Departments of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Radiation Oncology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine; and the Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Zurich.
authors.forename: Eng-Yen
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.affiliation: Kaohsiung, Taiwan; and Zurich, Switzerland.|From the Departments of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Radiation Oncology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and Chang Gung University College of Medicine; and the Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital Zurich.
authors.forename: Tsan-Shiun
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Lin
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013848:Thigh; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome