Reconstruction of foot soft tissue defects by superthin anterolateral thigh flap harvested with retrograde dissection of the perforator in the interface plane between the superficial and deep layer of superficial fascia / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect of superthin anterolateral thigh flap(ALTF) with retrograde dissection of perforator in the interface plane between the superficial and deep layer of superficial fascia for reconstruction of soft tissue defect in the foot.Methods:The study involved 24 Side of 23 patients with foot soft tissue defects in Department of Foot and Ankle Surgery in Wuxi Ninth People’s Hospital from August 2019 to July 2021. There were 15 males and 8 females with an average of 42(range, 22-59) years old, including 9 in left foot, 13 in right foot, and 1 in both feet. The size of soft tissue defects was 4 cm×4 cm-11 cm×17 cm. The dimension of the superthin ALTF was 4 cm×5 cm-12 cm×18 cm. CTA and high-frequency CDU were used to locate the perforator in the superficial fascia plane. The perforator was exposed and dissected retrograde in the adiposal layer. The superthin ALTF was harvested to repair the foot wound. The donor site was sutured directly. All patients enter follow-up reviews at outpatient clinic or by WeChat. The appearance of flaps were recorded.Results:The superthin ALTF survived in all patients. Two cases had partial epidermal necrosis at the distal part of the flap. The thickness of the flap averaged approximately 4(range 3-6) mm. During 8-16(mean 12) months of follow-up, all superthin ALTF were soft in texture without ulceration. Two flaps required secondary defatting procedures, others showed satisfactory appearance without bulky deformity. Only linear scars left in donor areas.Conclusion:The technique of harvesting superthin ALTF with retrograde dissection of perforator in the superficial fascia plane for repairing foot wounds is reliable and is able to achieve satisfactory functional and esthetic outcome.