Xiaoju Zheng1, Canbin Zheng2, Baoshan Wang1, Yongfeng Qiu3, Zhong Zhang1, Haijun Li1, Xinhong Wang1. 1. Department of Hand and Podiatric Microsurgery, Xian Fengcheng Hospital, Xian, PR China. 2. Department of Microsurgery, Orthopedic Trauma and Hand Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, PR China. Electronic address: zhengcanbin@qq.com. 3. Department of Hand and Podiatric Microsurgery, Xian Fengcheng Hospital, Xian, PR China; The First Affiliated Hospital of Shaanxi University of Chinese Medicine, Xianyang, PR China.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The reconstruction of extensive three-dimensional defects in the extremities is a difficult challenge. Many attempts have been made to reconstruct such defects using the chimeric flap concept, enabling flaps with larger surface areas to be used while maintaining economical tissue use. The anterolateral thigh (ALT) chimeric flap is one of the most useful tools for the reconstruction of complex three-dimensional defects in the extremities. METHODS: From January 2010 to March 2012, Twenty-two patients underwent extremity reconstruction using chimeric ALT perforator flaps, which consists of a skin component on its isolated perforator and a portion of the fascia and muscle flaps on the same pedicle from the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA). The defects were in either a lower (n = 10) or an upper extremity (n = 12). The area of the soft tissue defects ranged from 43 × 35 cm to 19 × 9 cm (mean, 25 × 18 cm), containing extensive, irregular, ring-like soft tissue defects or degloving injuries. RESULTS: The mean dimension of skin flap was 19.8 × 11.2 cm. The mean dimension of fascia flap was 8.9 × 7.1 cm. The mean dimension of muscle flap was 11.1 × 7.5 cm. No total flap loss occurred. One patient presented with venous thrombosis, and re-anastomosis and vein grafting were performed. Two cases exhibiting partial skin graft loss at the site at which the fascia flap was inset were treated via secondary skin grafts. During a follow-up period of 18 months-30 months, patients were satisfied with the functional and aesthetic outcome. No serious donor-site complications occurred. DISCUSSION: Chimeric anterolateral thigh perforator flap can be one of the best choice for reconstruction of complex soft-tissue defects in the extremities. CONCLUSIONS: The various tissue components and maximal freedom offered by chimeric tissue flaps associated with the same descending branch of the LCFA provide versatile coverage of large, complex, and irregular soft-tissue defects in the extremities.
INTRODUCTION: The reconstruction of extensive three-dimensional defects in the extremities is a difficult challenge. Many attempts have been made to reconstruct such defects using the chimeric flap concept, enabling flaps with larger surface areas to be used while maintaining economical tissue use. The anterolateral thigh (ALT) chimeric flap is one of the most useful tools for the reconstruction of complex three-dimensional defects in the extremities. METHODS: From January 2010 to March 2012, Twenty-two patients underwent extremity reconstruction using chimeric ALT perforator flaps, which consists of a skin component on its isolated perforator and a portion of the fascia and muscle flaps on the same pedicle from the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA). The defects were in either a lower (n = 10) or an upper extremity (n = 12). The area of the soft tissue defects ranged from 43 × 35 cm to 19 × 9 cm (mean, 25 × 18 cm), containing extensive, irregular, ring-like soft tissue defects or degloving injuries. RESULTS: The mean dimension of skin flap was 19.8 × 11.2 cm. The mean dimension of fascia flap was 8.9 × 7.1 cm. The mean dimension of muscle flap was 11.1 × 7.5 cm. No total flap loss occurred. One patient presented with venous thrombosis, and re-anastomosis and vein grafting were performed. Two cases exhibiting partial skin graft loss at the site at which the fascia flap was inset were treated via secondary skin grafts. During a follow-up period of 18 months-30 months, patients were satisfied with the functional and aesthetic outcome. No serious donor-site complications occurred. DISCUSSION: Chimeric anterolateral thigh perforator flap can be one of the best choice for reconstruction of complex soft-tissue defects in the extremities. CONCLUSIONS: The various tissue components and maximal freedom offered by chimeric tissue flaps associated with the same descending branch of the LCFA provide versatile coverage of large, complex, and irregular soft-tissue defects in the extremities.