Abstract
It is extremely challenging to deal with a complex full-thickness abdominal wall defect
following serious trauma. We aim to share our experience in applying an anterolateral
thigh flap in abdominal wall defect reconstruction. This is a retrospective case report
of a 40-year-old male patient with a large area of full-thickness defect in the abdominal
wall complicated with multiple organ damage identified due to acute trauma. Immediate
organ repair surgeries were performed. Meanwhile, the patients underwent complete
debridement in the zone of the abdominal wall defect, together with negative pressure
wound therapy. Then the appropriate timing was chosen to perform a pedicled anterolateral
thigh flap with vastus lateralis muscle for reconstructing a large area of full-thickness
defect involving the abdomen. The outcome of the patients was also good. Thus, we
conclude that the pedicled anterolateral thigh flap and vastus lateralis muscle flap
are feasible to repair full-thickness defect in the abdominal wall and serve as lifesaving
options.
Keywords
abdominal wall defect - pedicled anterolateral thigh flap - reconstruction trauma
