游离股前外侧皮瓣修复口腔软组织缺损

目的 探讨分析3种游离股前外侧皮瓣在口腔软组织缺损修复中的临床特点与治疗效果。方法 2008年12月至2010年12月收治67例口腔肿瘤患者,切除肿瘤的同时,应用游离股前外侧皮瓣修复缺损处,包括舌、颊、牙龈、口底,通常将皮瓣的旋股外侧动脉降支与受区的颌外动脉或甲状腺上动脉吻合,伴行静脉与受区的面总静脉或颈外静脉吻合。根据游离股前外侧皮瓣的厚度将其分成3种类型：股前外侧肌皮瓣、股前外侧脂肪筋膜皮瓣和薄型股前外侧皮瓣。结果 67例中股前外侧肌皮瓣为35例,股前外侧脂肪筋膜皮瓣17例,薄型股前外侧皮瓣15例。66例皮瓣存活,成功率为98.5％,其中1例糖尿病患者皮瓣发生小部分坏死,经清创换药后痊愈;1例皮瓣完全坏死。67例皮瓣中41例吻合2条静脉,26例吻合1条静脉。8例出现血管危象：6例为静脉血栓（5例抢救成功、1例皮瓣完全坏死）,1例为术区血肿,1例为穿支血管扭转,经过相应处理,血管危象均得到缓解。术后随访2～ 24个月,平均8.7个月,受区组织缺损修复效果满意,供区创面愈合良好。结论 游离股前外侧皮瓣的受区功能良好,供区并发症少,是一种修复口腔软组织缺损的较为理想的方法。     

To thin or not to thin: the use of the anterolateral thigh flap in the reconstruction of intraoral defects.

The anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap has achieved popularity recently for free-flap reconstruction of intraoral defects following excision of squamous cell carcinoma. We have assessed the feasibility of the ALT flap as a free flap for oral lining and the potential use of the thinned ALT flap in a one-stage reconstruction. We used the ALT flap to reconstruct the oral cavity in 18 consecutive patients between December 2000 and December 2001 following intraoral resection of squamous cell carcinoma. Twelve patients underwent reconstruction using a standard ALT flap, four patients received a thinned ALT flap in a one-stage procedure, one patient received a standard ALT flap in combination with a fibula flap and one patient received a combination of a standard ALT flap and vascularised iliac bone. There were no complications in any of the 14 cases in which a standard ALT flap was used. Two of these flaps were thinned subsequently as secondary procedures. Of the four thinned ALT flaps, one flap failed completely and two flaps experienced partial necrosis. In all but one case the donor site was closed directly with minimal donor-site morbidity. The ALT flap is a versatile flap that can be used in combination with other flaps for more complex defects with minimal donor-site morbidity and is a useful alternative in the armamentarium of the head and neck surgeon. Thinning of the flap is best performed as a secondary procedure, should it be required.     

Total aesthetic subunit reconstruction of the burned anterior abdomen using pre‐expanded pedicled anterolateral thigh flap—A case report

Combination of tissue expansion and perforator flaps broadened the reconstructive options in burn cases with wide scar contractures. We report a case of total aesthetic subunit reconstruction of the anterior abdominal skin using a pre‐expanded pedicled anterolateral thigh (ALT) perforator flap in a patient with postburn contractures. Seventeen‐year‐old girl had a history of scalding burn to the anterior abdomen, resulting in tight contractures inhibiting her mobility. After an expansion period of 6 months, the flap of 27 × 30 cm was elevated at the suprafascial plane and tunneled to the anterior abdomen. The flap was used to resurface the defect from xyphoid process down to the mons pubis and bilaterally at linea semilunaris. Postoperative course was uneventful. A good quality aesthetic and functional reconstruction was achieved at the 10‐year follow‐up. Pre‐expanded pedicled ALT flaps may be considered as an option in extensive scarring requiring large amounts of tissue.     

Anterolateral thigh flap salvage following failed deep inferior epigastric artery perforator breast reconstruction

The deep inferior epigastric artery perforator flap is an option for women desiring autologous tissue breast reconstruction. If this reconstruction fails, other autologous tissue flaps, including the gluteal artery perforator and latissimus dorsi flaps, may be used for salvage. The anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap offers adequate tissue volume for breast reconstruction, acceptable fat quality and a long vascular pedicle. Other advantages include obviating the need for intraoperative position changes and harvesting tissue outside of the radiation field. Two cases involving ALT flaps used in the setting of deep inferior epigastric artery perforator failure are presented with favourable results. A review of the anatomy of the ALT flap is included.     

The utility of the anterolateral thigh donor site in reconstructing the United States trauma patient

BACKGROUND: Identification of a single donor site capable of providing all the components of the soft tissue envelope and the ability to selectively harvest a subset of these components is a central requirement for the microvascular reconstruction of the trauma patient. The anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap's long pedicle and adaptability in supporting a variety of tissues (muscle, fascia, soft tissue) make it a valuable tool for microsurgical reconstruction in these challenging patients. We investigated the utility of the ALT as a donor for microvascular tissue reconstruction in a Level I trauma center. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective chart review on all trauma patients treated by the plastic surgery service at the R Adams Cowley Shock Trauma Center who required microsurgical free flap coverage from July 2002 to March 2005. Fifty-eight patients underwent reconstruction of traumatic deformities with 62 microvascular free flaps from the ALT region. RESULTS: Of the 58 patients, 42 were male and 16 were female with an average age of 39 years. Recipient site locations for the 62 flaps were lower extremity, upper extremity, trunk, and head and neck. Analysis of flap anatomy revealed that 43 were fasciocutaneous, 14 were myocutaneous, 2 were adipofascial, and 3 were myofascial (vastus lateralis muscle). Six flaps were based on septocutaneous perforators, whereas the remainder contained myocutaneous perforators. Nine thigh donor sites required a split thickness skin graft, and 53 were closed primarily. The size of the flaps ranged from 36 cm2 to 600 cm2. CONCLUSIONS: The ALT is a predictable donor site that facilitates a 2-team approach. ALT displays minimal donor site morbidity and in most cases provided sufficient tissue to cover the entire traumatic defect. Our results suggest the ALT is a reliable tissue source and an ideal donor site for the management of complex traumatic wounds in the United States.     

Reconstruction of an upper posterior thigh extensive defect with a free split‐anterolateral thigh (s‐ALT) flap by perforator‐to‐perforator anastomosis: A case report

The anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap is one of the most commonly used flap worldwide in reconstructive surgery, as both free flap and pedicled local flap. Here, we report the use of a free split anterolateral thigh (s‐ALT) flap for reconstruction of a 14 cm × 16 cm soft tissue defect of the left upper posterior thigh region due to sarcoma resection in a patient. The ALT flap was harvested based on two musculocutaneous perforators from the right thigh and anastomosed to the contralateral descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA) in perforator‐to‐perforator manner, in order to gain more pedicle length and being able to cover the posterior thigh defect. The post‐operative course was uneventful and the patient was discharged at 1 week post‐operative. Eleven months after the operation, the aesthetic outcome was satisfactory with no functional deficit. Even though it requires technical skills and experience in perforator dissection, we believe that the s‐ALT flap anstomosed to the contralateral LCFA in perforator to perforator fashion, may be a good solution in case of such a difficultly located extensive defect of the posterior thigh.     

Reconstruction of a large full‐thickness abdominal wall defect with flow‐through‐based alt flaps: A case report

An extensive 35 × 20 cm sized full‐thickness abdominal wall defect was created after resection of aggressive abdominal fibromatosis in a 19‐year‐old male patient. Immediate reconstruction was not possible due to prolonged operation time and resulting severe bowel edema. A silicone sheet with NPWT was applied over the exposed viscera. After 1 week, silicone sheet was substituted with a composite mesh. Then, abdominal wall reconstruction with bilateral free anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps (30 × 12 cm and 25 × 12 cm sized) was performed. Since there was only a single reliable recipient vessel available, we linked 2 ALT free flaps sequentially in a flow‐through fashion to the left inferior epigastric artery and vein. Two donor sites were closed primarily. The flap fully survived and the defect was covered successfully without any complication for 11 months of follow up. Multiple flaps may be needed for large full‐thickness abdominal wall defect coverage. Linked fasciocutaneous free flaps could be a solution with a less donor site morbidity even in the case of limited available recipient vessels. The purpose of this study is to introduce our experience of extensive full‐thickness abdominal wall reconstruction using only ipsilateral deep inferior epigastric vessels.     

The use of the ALT Flap and Lateral Femoral Cutaneous Nerve for the Reconstruction of Carpal Soft Tissue and Ulnar Nerve Defects: a Case Report

The anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap has become one of the workhorse flaps, with indications including diverse reconstructive problems. The lateral thigh area is also a useful donor site for nerve grafts. The lateral femoral cutaneous (LFC) nerve can be dissected along with the ALT flap for a substantial length, depending on the requirements of the recipient site. The LFC nerve can be used as a vascularized or non-vascularized nerve graft. The technique offers advantages and it can find clinical applications, satisfying the functional and aesthetic reconstructive requirements of a complex defect. We report the case of a patient who presented with traumatic soft tissue defect of the volar aspect of the wrist and ulnar nerve defect as a complication of a fracture of distal radius. An ALT flap was used to reconstruct the soft tissue defect. The ulnar nerve was resected due to necrosis and the gap was repaired with non-vascularized grafts of the anterior branch of the LFC nerve. The soft tissues were resurfaced successfully without complications. Functional recovery was good for the superficial branch of the ulnar nerve, whereas it was variable for the deep branch of the ulnar nerve. The anterolateral thigh area offers significant advantages as donor site in the reconstruction of complex soft tissue defects being a large source of vascularized skin, fat, fascia, muscle and nerve. This availability allows for single donor site dissection, minimizing the operating time and the associated morbidity.     

Evolution of a paradigm for free tissue transfer reconstruction of lateral temporal bone defects

BACKGROUND: Tumors of the lateral skull base are best treated with surgery plus or minus radiation therapy. Surgical ablation may involve cutaneous structures, the auricle, the parotid, and the lateral temporal bone. These composite soft tissue defects are best reconstructed with composite tissue. Multiple pedicled flaps have been used to reconstruct these defects. Free flaps have been shown to provide the best tissue for these reconstructions. We review our experience and present an algorithm for their reconstruction. METHODS: A case series of consecutive patients treated between 1999 and 2006 at 2 tertiary care institutions, Oregon Health and Science University and University of Alabama at Birmingham were reviewed. There were 73 patients who had periauricular defects requiring 74 free tissue transfers in this retrospective chart review. All defects had extensive cutaneous loss and underwent some form of parotidectomy. There were 57 lateral temporal bone defects and 16 periauricular defects where the external auditory canal was preserved. The majority of patients had nonmelanoma skin malignancies (65%). Eighty percent of patients had undergone previous treatment (radiation therapy, surgery, or a combination therof). RESULTS: Early on, reconstruction was performed using a radial forearm (RFFF, n=29), evolving to lateral arm (n=6), rectus (n=11), and finally an anterolateral thigh (ALT, n=28) free flap. The average hospital stay was 6 days, and the overall complication rate was 22%. The rectus flap needed debulking in 34% of patients, and the anterolateral thigh in 9%. Periauricular defects were classified based on preservation of the external auditory canal (class I), lateral temporal bone resection with preservation of the auricle (class II), or lateral temporal bone with total auriculectomy (class III). CONCLUSION: Class I defects were best managed by RFFF reconstruction, class II defects were managed well with the ALT flap, and class III defects required the ALT or rectus flap.     

Der anterolaterale Oberschenkellappen

The anterolateral thigh flap (ATL) has become a standard procedure in reconstructive microsurgery. In this study the results with the ALT for reconstruction in the head and neck area after tumor resection in 33?patients were retrospectively analyzed. Patients included 28 men and 5 women aged 47?C70 years who suffered from intraoral and extraoral tumors. Satisfactory soft tissue coverage could be achieved in all patients and no flaps were lost. The ALT is a versatile free flap enabling reliable soft tissue reconstruction of complex defects in the head and neck region. Flap dissection and preparation of the recipient area can usually be performed simultaneously. Additional advantages include the long and strong caliber vascular pedicle, the low donor site morbidity and the different possibilities of tissue composition, making the ALT a workhorse flap in modern reconstructive microsurgery.     

Versatility of the free anterolateral thigh flap: clinical experience in a series of 20 patients

The main nutrient vessel of the anterolateral thigh flap is the perforator originating from the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA). It supplies a large area of skin on the anterolateral aspect of the thigh. We present the experience of 20 consecutive anterolateral thigh flaps used for a variety of soft tissue defects. Fourteen flaps were used for lower leg reconstruction, four in the head and neck, and the remaining two in the hand. The largest flap was 30᎗ cm. All flaps survived except two which had partial skin necrosis, but the underlying adipose tissue survived and was grafted. Reexploration was needed for one patient in whom a thrombus blocking the vein was removed, and the flap survived completely. The anterolateral thigh flap has the advantage of a long vascular pedicle, large-caliber vessels, availability of a large skin flap area, and suitability as a flow-through flap.     

游离股前外侧穿支皮瓣修复足前端缺损

目的:探讨应用股前外侧穿支皮瓣修复足远端缺损的效果。方法:切取股前外侧穿支皮瓣,皮瓣切取面积为8cm×16cm~15cm×18cm。供区直接缝合或断层皮片移植修复,与足背动静脉吻合,修复足前端缺损15例。结果:15例患者皮瓣均完全成活,其中4例出现静脉危象,经探查修复后缓解,患者恢复行走功能,避免了截肢。结论:股前外侧穿支皮瓣股前外侧皮瓣供区隐蔽,简便实用,是修复足远端缺损的理想选择。     

Coverage of supraumbilical abdominal wall defects: The tunnelled‐pedicled ALT technique

Abdominal wall defects are a challenge for reconstructive surgeons. Although the utility of anterolateral thigh perforator (ALT) flap has been well established for lower abdominal wall reconstruction, pedicled ALT flap is usually not considered for supraumbilical defects in the most recent algorithms. The purpose of this paper is to report the results of a tunneled pedicled ALT flap for reconstruction of supraumbilical defect from a series of patients. From July 2009 to September2014, six patients underwent delayed abdominal wall coverage using pedicled ALT flaps and reinforcement with polypropylene meshes. Defects occurred after surgical complications and abdominal trauma. Flaps were tunneled beneath the rectus femoris and sartorius muscles to increase the pedicle length. The size of the skin islands ranged from 22–29 × 10–14 cm. All flaps survived and the healing of the wounds was successful. Partial dehiscence of donor site occurred in one patient, and small wound dehiscence due to minimal distal necrosis was observed in another patient. No functional problems were reported in donor site, and no complications occurred in 6–68 months of follow‐up. The tunneled pedicled ALT flap may provide a reliable alternative method for abdominal wall reconstruction, including supraumbilical defects. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 37:119–127, 2017.     

Sequential chimeric medial femoral condyle and anterolateral thigh flow‐through flaps for one‐stage reconstructions of composite bone and soft tissue defects: Report of three cases

Small recalcitrant non‐unions with poor perfusion require reconstruction with vascularized bone flaps. Cases with concomitant large soft tissue defects are especially challenging, since vascularized soft tissue transfer is often indicated and distant microvascular anastomoses may be required. We introduce a sequential chimeric free flap composed of a medial femoral condyle corticoperiosteal flap anastomosed to an anterolateral thigh flow‐through flap (MFC‐ALT flap) and report its use for reconstruction of small non‐unions with concomitant large soft tissue defects in three exemplary patients. Two female and one male patients ages 39–58 years suffered from composite bone and soft tissue defects of the lower extremity and clavicle caused by tumor resection and postoperative radiation resp. infected tibial pilon fracture. The sizes of the soft tissue defects ranged from 15–23 × 4.5–6 cm and the sizes of the bone defects ranged from 1.5–4 × 2–4 cm. Defect reconstructions were performed in all cases with sequential chimeric MFC‐ALT flaps with sizes ranging from 2–4 × 1.6–4 cm for the MFC and 21–23 × 7–8 cm for the ALT skin paddles. Functional reconstructions were achieved in all cases resulting in stable unions and soft tissue coverage enabling the patients to bear full weight without assistance on 5‐months follow‐up. Postoperative course was uneventful and complications were restricted to a small skin necrosis at the suture line in one case. MFC‐ALT flaps may be a safe, and effective procedure for one‐stage reconstructions of small, irregularly shaped bone defects with concomitant large soft tissue loss or surrounding instable scarring, particularly in cases of recalcitrant non‐unions after radiation exposure.     

Primary thinning of the anterolateral thigh flap in Caucasians is a safe technique

Background

The anterolateral thigh (ALT) perforator flap is a well-described and versatile flap, regularly used for resurfacing and reconstructing soft tissue defects, but it is often too bulky to produce an aesthetically satisfactory result. Although primary thinning of the ALT has been successful in Eastern populations, studies have demonstrated that this may be inadvisable in Caucasians. This is the biggest clinical study demonstrating the clinical safety of primary thinning of ALT flaps in Caucasians.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed between January 2009 and August 2011 on 57 patients (mean age 43) undergoing ALT free flap reconstruction by three surgeons. They were all thinned via sharp dissection using loupe magnification except for 1–2 cm around the perforator by removing the larger fat globules of deep fascia and preserving the superficial fat layer. The resultant flap thickness was approximately 6 mm.

Results

In 77 % of cases, the flap was used for lower limb, 16 % for upper limb and 7 % for head and neck reconstruction. The mean flap surface area was 124 cm². There was one flap loss (1.8 %) and three flaps returned to theatre for perioperative complications.

Conclusions

Careful primary thinning of ALT flaps is safe in Caucasian populations and can achieve improved cosmetic results. Level of Evidence: Level IV, risk/prognostic study.     

Bilateral anterolateral thigh flaps for large-volume breast reconstruction

Autologous tissue reconstruction of a large breast in patients who are not candidates for a TRAM flap is a difficult problem. We present a case report of the use of bilateral free anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps for immediate reconstruction of a unilateral large breast in a patient who had a previous abdominoplasty. Use of ALT flaps allows two or three surgical teams to work simultaneously, does not require intraoperative patient repositioning, has minimal donor-site morbidity, and can provide ample malleable soft tissue for breast reconstruction. These are advantages compared to the use of gluteal donor sites. The disadvantages include more conspicuous donor-site scarring on the anterior thighs.     

Suitability of the anterolateral thigh perforator flap and the soleus perforator flap for intraoral reconstruction: a retrospective study

Perforator flaps are suitable for numerous reconstructive purposes. However, there are few data about their usefulness for intraoral reconstruction. We reviewed data of 101 patients who were reconstructed by two types of perforator flaps after oral cancer. Forty-six soleus perforator flaps and fifty-five anterolateral thigh (ALT) perforator flaps were performed. Procedural data and outcome measures were analyzed. One ALT and four soleus perforator flaps were lost, resulting in success rates of 97.8% and 91.4%, respectively. Soleus perforator flaps were more challenging due to short and small-caliber vessels, higher susceptibility to vascular spasm, and difficult prediction of the location of the vascular pedicle. All donor sites in both groups except one were closed directly, and their morbidity was negligible. Perforator flaps from both donor sites can be used for intraoral reconstruction with good functional results; however, despite primary thinning, the ALT flap can be voluminous in small and flat defects. Here, soleus perforator flaps adapt better to the oral mucosa. The ALT perforator flap is more reliable and serves as a safe alternative to the radial forearm flap.     

Microsurgical Reconstruction of the Oral Cavity with Free Flaps from the Anterolateral Thigh and the Radial Forearm: A Comparison of Perioperative Data from 161 Cases

Background  

Free flaps are commonly used for reconstruction of extensive tumor resection defects in the oral cavity. The radial forearm free flap (RFFF) is the most frequent choice. However, a major problem of RFFF is a limitation in its size. The anterolateral thigh free flap (ALTFF) has become popular as an alternative donor site in maxillofacial surgery. We have compared patient data after reconstructions of the oral cavity using the RFFF or ALTFF.     

Recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the scalp treated with serial free flaps: A case report

Reconstruction of large full thickness scalp defects is always a challenge. Many different techniques can be used, but larger defects often call for a free tissue transfer. The purpose of this report is to present one successful way of treating multiple large scalp defects. A 61‐year‐old man was seen with recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the scalp. The lesions were of full thickness, about 10–15 cm in diameter and included the calvarial bone and the dura layer. The reconstruction process included split‐thickness skin grafting, local flaps, and three free microvascular flaps; two latissimus dorsi flaps and one anterolateral thigh flap. No total flap loss was seen, but partial flap necrosis called for secondarily reconstruction. The final result was cosmetically acceptable and the patient is of good health. In conclusion, serial free microvascular flaps may be used with good results when dealing with large difficult and recurrent scalp defects. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 35:481–484, 2015.     

Medial malleolus and deltoid ligament reconstruction in open ankle fractures with combination of vascularized fibular head osteo‐tendinous flap and free flap transfers

Treatment of the traumatic bone and soft tissue defect of the medial ankle is a challenge in reconstructive orthopedic surgery. In this report, we described a novel reconstruction procedure for the medial malleolus reconstruction using microsurgical transfer of the fibular head osteo‐tendinous flap combined with a free latissimus dorsi flap (free LD flap) or a free anterolateral thigh flap (free ALT flap) in six patients. The sizes of the wounds ranged from 10 × 8 cm to 24 × 10 cm, and the sizes of the LD and ALT flaps were from 12 × 9 cm to 24 × 12 cm. All transplants survived. Five patients had primary wound healing. One patient had fibular graft and soft tissue infection that caused delayed healing. On average 4 months after surgery, all patients were able to stand and walk without crutch assistance. With a mean follow‐up of 3.5 years (range, 1–5 years), all patients achieved stable ankles and were satisfied with the range of motion with excellent American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society functional scores (>85). The fibular head resembles the medial malleolus in morphology. Vascularized fibular head transfer combined with a free flap provides satisfactory results for complex medial malleolus reconstruction. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. Microsurgery, 2009.