Reconstruction of Soft Tissue Defects using Anterolateral Thigh Free Flap

Abstract

Since R. Y. Song(1982) has reported anatomic studies about septocutaneous perforator flap, various experiences especially on thigh flaps pedicled on septocutaneous artery were reported. Baek(1983) reported an anatomic study through the cadavers dissections on medial, lateral thigh area and provided the first new cutaneous free flap of thigh for clinical use. Song, et at.(1984) reported anterolateral thigh free flap, Koshima, et at.(1989) reported pedicle variations and its versatile clinical usages. According to their reports, accessory branches of lateral femoral circumflex artery are placed in comparatively constant location and proved to be the effective pedicle of this flap. The advantages of anterolateral thigh free flap are 1) comparatively thin 2) can obtain ufficiently large flap 3) can contain cutaneous nerve 4) can be easy to approach anatomically because pedicle is located in comparatively constant position 5) minimal donor site morbidity. We report the experience of 10 cases of anterolateral thigh free flap coverage for soft tissue defects: 4 cases of soft tissue defects on foot area,2 cases of soft tissue defects on hand,3 cases of partial tongue defects owing to tongue cancer ablation, and 1 case of soft tissue defect on nasal alar.