Transplantation of the free anterolateral thigh flap combined with iliotibial band for reconstruction of children's soft tissue defects at foot and ankle / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of transplantation of the free anterolateral thigh flap and iliotibial band for the repair of soft tissue defects at foot and ankle and functional reconstruction.Methods From January,2008 to January,2013,25 pediatric patients with soft tissue defects at foot and ankle were transplantation of the free anterolateral thigh flap and iliotibial band.Of the 25 cases,there were 12 cases at heel,8 cases at dorsum of foot,3 cases at medial malleolus and 2 cases at external malleolus.All the cases were accompanied with different degree of fracture or dislocation,and with soft tissue defect such as achilles tendon,extensor tendon of dorsal,collateral ligament of ankle.The length of soft tissue defect which were reconstructed with iliotibial band were 3 cm to 16 cm.The causes of injury19 cases were crushed by motorcycle or bicycle,4 cases were crushed machines,2 cases were injuryed in traffic accidents.The areas of free anterolateral thigh flaps were 8 cm × 5 cm to 18 cm × 12 cm.All the patients begined to early rehabilitative exercise under the protection of orthosis after 2 weeks of the operation.Results All cases were followed up from 6 to 24 months,averaged of 14 months.All the flaps survived,and only 2 cases with necrosis of small area in distal,and which were healed by dressing.The healing time were 12 to 24 days,and the average of 15.1 days; The surgery function were assessed according to Thermann's scale,and the results was 14 cases for excellent,9 cases was good,the general was 2 cases,and the excellent and good rate was 92％.Conclusion The transplantation of the free anterolateral thigh flap and iliotibial band for the repair of soft tissue defect at foot and ankle and functional reconstruction is a safe and effective strategy,and it has the advantages such as covering the wound at foot and ankle approvingly,reconstruction of power device once,the flap and iliotibial band were in the same wound,the trauma of doner site is small invasive,early recovery functional exercise,shorten the treatment cycle,and relieve the suffering of children.