Arch Plast Surg.
2013 Mar;40(2):91-96. 10.5999/aps.2013.40.2.91.
Adipofascial Anterolateral Thigh Flap Safety: Applications and Complications
- Affiliations
-
- 1Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, Hospital of Florence, Florence, Italy.
- 2Plastic Surgery Unit, University Hospital of Florence, Florence, Italy.
- 3Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China. zhangyixin6688@hotmail.com
- 4Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Unit, Hospital of Pisa, Pisa, Italy.
- KMID: 2167949
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.5999/aps.2013.40.2.91
Abstract
- BACKGROUND
A thinned anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap is often harvested to achieve optimal skin resurfacing. Several techniques have been described to thin an ALT flap including an adipocutaneous flap, an adipofascial flap and delayed debulking.
METHODS
By systematically reviewing all of the available literature in English and French, the present manuscript attempts to identify the common surgical indications, complications and donor site morbidity of the adipofascial variant of the ALT flap. The studies were identified by performing a systematic search on Medline, Ovid, EMBASE, the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Current Contents, PubMed, Google, and Google Scholar.
RESULTS
The study selection process was adapted from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement, and 15 articles were identified using the study inclusion criteria. These articles were then reviewed for author name(s), year of publication, flap dimensions and thickness following defatting, perforator type, type of transfer, complications, thinning technique, number of cases with a particular area of application and donor site morbidity.
CONCLUSIONS
The adipofascial variant of the ALT flap provides tissue to fill large defects and improve pliability. Its strong and safe blood supply permits adequate immediate or delayed debulking without vascular complications. The presence of the deep fascia makes it possible to prevent sagging by suspending and fixing the flap for functional reconstructive purposes (e.g., the intraoral cavity). Donor site morbidity is minimal, and thigh deformities can be reduced through immediate direct closure or liposuction and direct closure. A safe blood supply was confirmed by the rate of secondary flap debulking.
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