The application of pedicled anterolateral thigh propeller flaps in reconstruction of inguinal skin and soft tissue defects / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To discuss the effectiveness of anterolateral thigh propeller flaps for treatment of inguinal skin and soft tissue defects.Methods From June,2009 to October,2014,12 patients with inguinal skin and soft tissue defects were treated with anterolateral thigh propeller flaps pedicled with perforator of descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery.Of them there were 8 males and 4 females,aged from 22 to 51 years.The left side was involved in 3 cases and right side 9 cases.Defects were caused by traffic accident injury in 5 cases,crash injury of heavy object in 7 cases.There were mere skin and soft tissue in 2 cases,combined with bone fractures,nerves,vessels and muscles injury in 10 cases.The area of defects ranged from 9.0 cm×5.0 cm to 22.0 cm×9.0 cm.During operation,anterolateral thigh propeller flaps ranging from 11.0 cm×7.0 cm to 24.0 cm×1 1.0 cm were used to repair the wounds.Results All flaps and skingrafts survived after operation and the wounds obtained primary healing.After 8-24 months follow-up,all flaps were characterized by soft texture,good color,and satisfactory appearance.According to the Britain's Medical Research Council at 8 months after operation,the sensation of the flaps were recovered to S2 ～ S3+,No obvious scar contracture and chromatosis were observed at donor site.Conclusion Anterolateral thigh propeller flaps pedicled with artery descending branch of lateral circumflex femoral perforator is an ideal choice for the reconstruction for inguinal skin and soft tissue defects.