Anterolateral thigh flap for reconstruction of foot and ankle defects secondary to pedicled flap failure
He Xiaoqing1, Yang Xi1, Shi Yan1, Duan Jiazhang2, Dong Kaixuan3, Xu Yuexian1, Wang Teng1, Xu Yongqing1
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, the 920th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistic Support Force, Kunming 650032, China; 2Department of Emergency Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, Kunming 650021, China; 3Department of Orthopedic Surgery, First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province, Kunming 650032, China
Abstract:Objective This study aimed to estimate the outcomes of anterolateral thigh flap for foot and ankle defects secondary to pedicled flap failure. Methods A case series report was conducted. Twenty-eight patients with foot and ankle defects secondary to pedicled flap failure from March 2009 to December 2021 were reviewed in the 920th Hospital of PLA Joint Logistic Support Force. The patients were 16 males and 12 females, ranging from 7 years old to 55 years old, with an average of (34.7±13.0) years. Among the 28 patients, 16 patients had posterior tibial artery perforator propeller flaps necrosis, nine patients had peroneal artery perforator propeller flaps necrosis, two patients had sural neurocutaneous flaps necrosis, and one patient had lateral malleolus perforator flap necrosis. The defects secondary to pedicled flap failure ranged from 4.5 cm×4.0 cm to 25.0 cm×7.5 cm. All defects were reconstructed with anterolateral thigh flap. The flap size and pedicle length were recorded during surgery. The flap healing and complications were recorded after surgery. At the last follow-up, the Thankappan flap appearance satisfaction self-score was used to evaluate the flap appearance, and Vancouver scar scale (VSS) was utilized to evaluate the scar formation of donor site. Results All flaps were harvested and transferred uneventfully. The flap size ranged from 5.0 cm×4.5 cm to 16.5 cm×10.0 cm. The pedicles were 5.1-11.5 (8.3±2.2) cm. The donor site was sutured directly in 27 patients and skin graft in one patient. Venous compromise occurred in two patients, one patient became partial necrosis and one patient of complete survival after exploration. Two patients were occurred with subcutaneous hematoma and one patient experienced a local infection. The other flaps survived uneventfully. The patients were followed up 6-16 (11.4±2.8) months. Flap bulking occurred in 18 patients and scar hyperplasia in one patient. The debulking procedures were performed in 16 patients. At the last follow-up, the flap appearance satisfaction was 5-8 (6.4±0.9) points. Twenty-four patients were good, and four patients were fair. The VSS was 4-9 (5.7±1.7) points. Conclusion Anterolateral thigh flap is a safe and effective method for repairing the defects secondary to pedicled flap failure. However, many anterolateral thigh flaps are bulking and need to accept the debulking procedure in the second stage.
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He Xiaoqing, Yang Xi, Shi Yan, Duan Jiazhang, Dong Kaixuan, Xu Yuexian, Wang Teng, Xu Yongqing. Anterolateral thigh flap for reconstruction of foot and ankle defects secondary to pedicled flap failure. Chinese Journal of Anatomy and Clinics, 2023, 28(10): 657-661.
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