The anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap is a reliable technique for the reconstruction
of many head and neck defects. It is based on one or more cutaneous perforators that
arise from the descending branch of the circumflex femoral vessels. Perforator anatomy
in this region is variable, but adequate vessels are found in most cases, usually
aided by preoperative Doppler localisation. In a recent systematic review, including
1251 thighs, researchers found that the mean number of perforators in ALT flaps varied
from 1.15 to 4.26.
1
Multiple perforators in ALT reconstruction can facilitate the design of a chimeric
flap with two or more skin paddles.
2
,
3
Keywords
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References
- Perforator variability in the anterolateral thigh free flap: a systematic review.Surg Radiol Anat. 2017; 39: 779-789
- Chimeric anterolateral thigh free flap for reconstruction of complex cranio-orbito-facial defects after skull base cancers resection.J Craniomaxillofac Surg. 2017; 45: 87-92
- Multipaddled anterolateral thigh chimeric flap for reconstruction of complex defects in head and neck.PLoS One. 2014; 9e106326
- An experience on primary thinning and secondary debulking of anterolateral thigh flap in head and neck reconstruction.Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2012; 16: 1095-1101
- Incidence of inadequate perforators and salvage options for the anterior lateral thigh free flap.Laryngoscope. 2020; 130: 343-346
Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 06, 2020
Accepted:
January 13,
2020
Identification
Copyright
© 2020 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
