Thigh Perforator Free Flap for Reconstruction of the Soft Tissue Defect of the Lower Extremity

Kong, Byeong Seon; Seo, Moo Sam; Ha, Jung Min

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: To report the result of the thigh perforator free flap for the reconstruction of the soft tissue defect of the lower extremities and usefulness of this flap.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We have performed 23 cases of thigh perforator free flap to reconstruct the soft tissue defect of the lower extremities between February 2004 and July 2005. The anterior aspect of the legs were 9 cases, the ankle joints were 4 cases, the dorsal aspect of the feet were 6 cases, the sole of the feet were 4 cases as recipient sites. The anterolateral thighs were 13 cases, the anteromedial thighs were 10 cases as donor sites. The size of the flap ranged from 4 x 5 cm to 12 x 18 cm. The mean flap area was 73.2 cm2. The length of the pedicle ranged from 5 cm to 15 cm. Every patient except children was operated under the spinal anesthesia.
RESULTS
21 flaps (91.3%) survived, 2 flaps (8.7%) failed. In the 21 flaps that had survived, there were partial necrosis in 4 cases, which healed without any additional operation. In the 13 anterolateral thigh perforator flaps, 9 cases survived totally, 3 cases had the partial necrosis, 1 case failed. In the 10 anteromedial thigh perforator flaps, 8 cases survived totally, 1 case had the partial necrosis, 1 case failed.
CONCLUSION
The authors had a good result with the thigh perforator free flap and believe that this flap is a good option for the reconstruction of the soft tissue defect of the lower extremities, because this flap has a thin thickness and it is easy to dissect the vessels. Moreover the patients can be operated with supine position.