Tensor fascia lata flow-through modification of the anterolateral thigh flap for the repair of through-and-through defects of the face.

The treatment of tumour recurrence or severe surgical complications in the head and neck region is often very complicated and limited. In particular, there is no suitable reconstruction strategy for patients whose necks are poor in blood vessels and whose anterolateral thigh (ALT) donor areas concurrently have only one available perforating branch. Therefore, a 'flow-through' technique was applied to fabricate chimeric ALT flaps for such patients. An ipsilateral tensor fascia lata flap was anastomosed to the distal end of the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery. Six patients were included in this study. All fabricated chimeric flaps were successfully prepared and remained viable. After follow-up (range 3-38 months), the patients were satisfied with their appearance and the incision lines had healed well. In patients with through-and-through defects of the face and with anatomical variations in the donor area, chimeric ALT flaps fabricated via the flow-through technique can provide double flaps and longer vascular pedicles, thereby enabling reconstruction.