[Anterolateral thigh perforator free flaps for reconstruction of head and four limb soft tissue defects after tumor resection].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the method, effectiveness, and clinical application of the anterolateral thigh perforator free flaps for reconstruction of the soft tissue defects in the head and the four limbs after tumor resection.

METHODS

From April 2004 to April 2006, 16 patients (13 males, 3 females; aged 26-72 years) with the soft tissue defects in the head (9 patients) and the four limbs (7 patients) underwent reconstructive operations with the anterolateral thigh perforator free flaps after their tumor resection. The defects ranged in area from 8 cm x 6 cm to 20 cm x 13 cmin the head with the process of diseases from 6 to 24 months, and the defects ranged in area from 10 cm x 7 cm to 21 cm x 12 cm in the four limbs with the process of diseases from 2 to 18 months. The technique for the anterolateral thigh perforator flap free grafting, the degree of the injury in the donor sites, and the appearance of the donor and recipient sites, and the influence on the anatomy and function in the both local sites were analyzed.

RESULTS

In the 16 patients with the soft tissue defects in the head and the four limbs after tumor resection, 14 had a primary wound healing (Stage I ), and 2 had a delayed wound healing (Stage II). Fifteen flaps survived completely but two flaps had a partial failure. The flap appearance was good and smooth without any severe scarring, and there was a minimal effect on the function at the donor and recipient sites.

CONCLUSION

Because of the less morbidity at the donor site, the better result at the recipient site, and the use of the anterolateral thigh perforator flap free grafting, this kind of the technique for reconstruction of the head and four-limb soft tissue defects after tumor resection is well acceptable.