The earlier clinic experience of the reverse-flow anterolateral thigh island flap.

Since Song first reported the anterolateral thigh flap in 1984, this flap has been applied widely in clinical practice. In 1997, we found that the proximal end of the vascular pedicle of the anterolateral thigh flap showed active bleeding. We therefore believed that this flap could form the reverse-flow flap, which can be used clinically. From 1997 to 2002, two patients who suffered from soft tissue defects in their lower extremities have been repaired successfully with the reversed flow anterolateral thigh island flaps. The reverse-flow anterolateral thigh island flap with reliable blood supply and long vascular pedicle can be designed to repair soft tissue defects around ipsilateral knee joint or contralateral distal rejoins of the leg, especially in the difficulty cases.