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J Reconstr Microsurg 2010; 26(2): 087-094
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1243292
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Clinical Application of the Anterolateral Thigh Flap for Soft Tissue Reconstruction

Qixu Zhang1 , 2 , Qun Qiao1 , Xinguo Yang3 , Hai Wang3 , Geoffrey L. Robb2 , Gang Zhou1
  • 1Plastic Surgery Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China
  • 2Plastic Surgery Department, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas
  • 3Shengliyoutian Central Hospital, Shandong, China
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
10 December 2009 (online)

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ABSTRACT

The purpose of this article is to describe the author's experience using the anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap for the reconstruction of a variety of soft tissue defects. The flap utility and donor site morbidity were evaluated in 126 cases from March 1985 to August 2007. The ALT flaps were harvested as either free fasciocutaneous, free adipofascial, fasciocutaneous island, or reversed fasciocutaneous island flaps to repair facial, neck, breast, trunk, and extremity defects. In 40 cases (32%), the skin vessels were found to be septocutaneous perforators, and in 86 cases (68%), they were found as musculocutaneous perforators. Of the 126 flaps, 121 survived completely, providing a success rate of 96.0%. There were four cases undergoing multidetector-row computed tomographic angiography (CTA) for preoperative perforator mapping, and all perforators were confirmed intraoperatively. In conclusion, the ALT flap is a versatile and reliable flap that could well be a priority option for soft tissue reconstruction. CTA can provide more valuable and accurate anatomic information about the pedicle and perforators, making it safer and faster to harvest a targeted ALT perforator flap with less donor site morbidity.

KEYWORDS

Anterolateral thigh flap - ALT flap - perforator flap - computed tomography angiography

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Qixu ZhangM.D. Ph.D. 

Plastic Surgery Department, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Houston, TX 77030

Email: lukeqixu@yahoo.com

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