An unusual anatomical variant of the vascular anatomy in the anterolateral thigh free flap.

The anterolateral thigh flap is a fasciocutaneous flap based on the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery. The vascular pedicle and its perforators have a varied anatomical course that has led to difficulties in flap harvest. Many papers have described the anatomical variation in the origin and path of this vessel, but they all show one artery and two accompanying venae commitantes. The authors report the first case of duplication of the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery. They discuss whether this variation requires two arterial anastomoses. Copyright 2009 International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.