J Korean Assoc Maxillofac Plast Reconstr Surg.  2009 Nov;31(6):526-530.

Oro-Facial Reconstruction with Anterolateral Thigh(Alt) Free Flap

• Kim CH
• Bhang DY
• Hwang SY

Abstract

Recently, the anterolateral thigh(ALT) flap , based on the septocutaneous vessels or musculocutaneous perforators from the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery has gained popularity in head and neck soft-tissue reconstruction. It has some advantages in free-flap surgery with respect to the radial forearm free flap, such as low donor site morbidity, availability of different tissues with large amounts of skin, adaptability as a sensate or flowthrough flap (with the possibility of harvesting a long pedicle with a suitable vessel diameter). Moreover, the thickness of the flap is adjustable until the subdermal fat level, allowing it to be used as a thin or ultrathin flap. This clinical cases are ALT free flap reconstructions without functional impairment of the donor limbs (transitory and permanent) based on anastomosis with superficial temporal arteries and veins in patient of huge resection defect on face, lip and tongue.

Keyword

Anterolateral thigh flap; Musculocutaneous perforator; Superficial temporal artery

MeSH Terms

Extremities
Femoral Artery
Forearm
Free Tissue Flaps
Glycosaminoglycans
Head
Humans
Lip
Neck
Skin
Temporal Arteries
Tissue Donors
Tongue
Veins
Glycosaminoglycans