Versatility of the anterolateral thigh free flap: the four seasons flap.
Research article published in Eplasty (2012)
Abstract
UNLABELLED: Presented at the following academic meetings:○ 56th Meeting of the Italian Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (SICPRE) Fasano (Brindisi), Italy, September 26-29, 2007○ 42nd Meeting of the European Society for Surgical Research (ESSR), Warsaw, Poland, May 21-24, 2008○ Winter Meeting, British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, (BAPRAS) London, December 1-3, 2009BACKGROUND: The anterolateral free flap has become increasingly popular at our institution year on year. We decided to review our experience with this flap and study the reasons for this trend. METHODS: A retrospective review of all anterolateral thigh free flaps performed at Addenbrooke's University Hospital from the available charts was carried out. This chart review included patients' demographics, indications, flap size, recipient vessels used, ischemia time, flap, and donor site outcomes. All flap perforator vessels were located preoperatively using a handheld Doppler ultrasound probe. RESULTS: From October 1999 to December 2008, 55 anterolateral thigh flaps were performed in 55 patients to reconstruct a variety of soft-tissue defects (upper and lower limbs, chest wall, skull base, head and neck). Flap size ranged 12 to 35 cm in length and 4 to 11 cm in width. During flap elevation, the main supply to the flap was found to be a direct septocutaneous perforator in 41% (n = 23) of the cases as opposed to a musculocutaneous perforator, which was found in 59% (n = 32). The mean ischemia time was 82 minutes (range, 62-103). The overall flap success rate was 100%. Two flaps were successfully salvaged after reexploration for venous congestion. The donor site morbidity was minimal. The mean follow-up time was 18 months (range, 2-48). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The anterolateral thigh free flap was found to be a very reliable flap (100% success) across a wide range of clinical indications. It facilitates microvascular anastomoses as evidenced by the short ischemia time. It provided ample skin with volume that could be tailored to the defect. These advantages have led to its widespread use by different consultants and trainees in our department.
Abstract sourced from PubMed (NCBI) for the cited record. See the original publication for the authoritative version.
Резюме
Versatility of the anterolateral thigh free flap: the four seasons flap.
Почему это важно для гирудотерапии
В данной статье представлен ретроспективный обзор 55 свободных лоскутов с переднебоковой поверхности бедра, выполненных в одном учреждении за почти десятилетие для реконструкции дефектов мягких тканей в различных анатомических областях; сообщается о 100% приживаемости лоскутов, при этом два лоскута были спасены после развития венозного застоя. Несмотря на то что хирургия лоскутов и венозный застой являются клиническими контекстами, в которых медицинские пиявки иногда применяются в качестве вспомогательной терапии для облегчения нарушений венозного оттока, в данной аннотации ни в одном месте не упоминаются пиявки или гирудотерапия. Исследование касается исключительно техники формирования лоскута, анатомии перфорантных сосудов и хирургических исходов. Таким образом, какой-либо прямой или заявленной релевантности, связанной с пиявками, в данной аннотации не выявлено.
Цитирование
Связанный клинический контекст
Узнайте, как это исследование связано с клинической практикой
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