Reverse-flow anterolateral thigh flap for knee soft-tissue reconstruction: case report

The reconstruction of the injured tissue around the knee is a complex procedure for the plastic and orthopaedic surgeon. The objective is to provide an acceptable function and aesthetic result. Successful wound management includes meticulous debridement, planning and proper execution of the surgical procedure. An 11-year-old male patient with a right patellar fracture using an anterolateral thigh flap with reverse flow to cover the skin defect. For such purposes, the reverse flow anterolateral flap is an effective, trustworthy and well-documented option. The correct obtaining and implantation of the flap reduces the morbidity of the donor site, offers options in size and design, an adequate length of the pedicle and the possible combination with the fascia lata in case it is required. The versatility of the reverse flow anterolateral flap makes it a possible therapeutic alternative in reconstructive surgery since it is aesthetic and functional for the reconstruction of tissue near the knee joint.

Application of anterolateral thigh free flap with multiple perforators descending from lateral circumflex femoral artery in reconstruction of complex defects of children extremities / 中华显微外科杂志

Objective To investigate the application of anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap preserving multiple perforators descending from lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA) in reconstruction of complex defects of children extremities.Methods From January,2016 to January,2017,7 children admitted with soft tissue defects were reconstructed with ALT free flap preserving multiple perforitors descending from LCFA.According to body surface projection and distribution patterns of perforators descending from LCFA,preoperative portable Doppler was used to localize these perforators.Fascia lata harvest was spared for those without ligament and articular joint reconstruction.Defects and fascia lata was closed primarily.All patients were followed up at regular intervals.Results Follow-up period was 3-9 months(mean,6.5 months.Follow-up methods include on-site follow-up,wechat follow-up,telephone follow-up,etc.).The color of ALT flaps was normal.The texture of ALT flap was good.The linear scar in donor sites was found.The paresthesia around incision in donor sites was complained of.Postoperative appearance and function of injured limbs was satisfactory.Conclusion Design of Unipaddled or multipaddled ALT free flap with multiple perforators descending from LCFA is flexible.Perforators are thick and consistent.ALT flap with multiple perforators descending from LCFA is an ideal one to be used in reconstruction of complex soft tissue defects.

Utility of Lateral Circumflex Femoral Artery Perforator's 3D Image with MD-CT

PURPOSE: Currently, using perforator artery flaps especially anterolateral thigh flaps are widely used for reconstruction of extremities, head and neck. Obtaining a precise anatomical picture prior to operation will translate to a more accurate, efficient and safe procedure. Authors used 3D-image work up via 64-slice MDCT to make a more precise preoperative plan. METHODS: A total of 10 patients underwent soft tissue reconstruction with anterolateral thigh flap from December 2006 to December 2007. The 64-Channel MDCT (LightSpeed VCT, GE, USA) was used and 3D images were reconstructed. Findings from MDCT were applied to the preoperative planning and confirmed with intraoperative findings. RESULTS: The average number of perforator arteries from lateral circumflex femoral artery was 2. The average lengths of vascular pedicle from the origin of lateral circumflex femoral artery to the first and second perforator artery were 11.0cm and 20.0cm, respectively. The average diameter of the pedicle artery was 2.2mm. The locations of the perforator arteries were mapped and localized on the body surface based on the MDCT result. These were confirmed through direct visualization intraoperatively. CONCLUSION: MDCT has an advantage of obtaining accurate images of the general anatomy and even fine structures like perforator arteries. By using this state- of-the-art diagnostic imaging technique, it is now possible to make an operative plan safely and easily.

Application of digitalization and virtual reality in transplantation with anterolateral thigh flap / 中华创伤骨科杂志

Objective To observe the normal structures of arteria circumflexa femoris lateralis (ACFL) and to establish digitized visible models of anterolateral thigh(ALT) flap,which can be used in clinical training and operation design.Methods The cross-sectional images from the VCH Male 3 dataset were reviewed to study ACFL structures on a section-by-section basis.Next,one adult fresh cadaver specimen was perfused with lead ox- ide-gelatine mixture to be subject to radiographic CT scanning on its lower limbs.Likewise,the cross-sectional images from the CT images were reviewed to study ACFL structures on a section-by-section basis.Three-dimensional computerized reconstructions of ACFL structures and their adjacent struetures were conducted from the two sets of data using Amira 3.1 (TGS) software respectively.Results The three-dimensional reconstructed visible models established by the above two methods perfectly displayed the anatomic relationships of ACFL structures and their adjacent structures.Conclusions Since the digitized images of ACFL structures can offer section by section in- sights into the ACFL anatomy,their 3D reconstructive models ean be applied in clinical training,pre-operative designing and virtual operation procedures.