• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.27-31
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• 2011

Purpose : Anterolateral thigh and radial forearm flap is the most important fasciocutaneous flap widely used for reconstruction of tongue. One important purpose of flap is replacing the volume of tongue but still there is no data about the surface area and volume to be reconstructed after glossectomy. In this paper, surface area and volume is estimated from the 3-dimensionally reconstructed MRI images to see which flap is more ideal and to give the reference value for reconstruction. Materials and Methods : With coronal MRI image, tongue including only the intrinsic muscle is delineated in every section and reconstructed 3-dimensionally and calculated the volume and surface area to be reconstructed according to the degree of glossectomy. This volume and surface area was compared with the volume of anterolateral thigh and radial forearm flap. Results : The volume and surface area to be reconstructed in hemiglossectomy was $39.0{\pm}4.0cm^3$ and $31.8{\pm}2.7cm^2$ respectively. The average thickness of anterolateral thigh flap is $9.4{\pm}2.8mm$ and that of radial forearm is $3.8{\pm}1.0mm$. Comparing the curve of tongue surface area and volume with the volume of flap, the anterolateral thigh flap has more ideal volume to replace the defect. Conclusions : The surface area and volume requested for reconstruction could be suggested and the anterolateral thigh flap has more ideal volume for reconstruction of glossectomy defect.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.23-26
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• 2009

Purpose: Artificial dura maters are commonly used in cranioplasty, but sometimes they can result in serious postoperative infection. Once complications such as epidural abscess or chronic draining ulcer arise, they are very difficult to treat. In this case, reclosure of dura defect using artificial dura mater may give rise to recurrence of infection. We experienced a case of intractable epidural abscess caused by use of artificial dura. To avoid repeated infection, we decided to use autologous tissue for the coverage of dura and soft tissue defect. Therefore, autologous tensor fascia lata graft and anterolateral thigh free flap were harvested at the same donor site incision to cover composite defect on the scalp and dura mater. Methods: A 13 year old male patient, who underwent the decompression cranioplasty and duroplasty, suffered from the intractable infection lesion. Twice, the epidural abscess was removed, both times the infection recurred. And eventually dura mater was exposed through the infected open wound. Nine months after dura exposed, infected aritificial dura mater was removed and extensive debridement was performed. Through a surgical incision on donor thigh, first, tensor fascia lata graft was harvested in process of the anterolateral thigh flap elevation. After the fascia lata graft was fixed over the dural defect, the anterolateral thigh flap was used to fill the dead space as well as the scalp defect. Results: Postoperatively, no recurrent infection and cerebrospinal fluid leakage are observed for a year. After the surgery, on the first and second day, venous congestion of the flap was observed, this problem was solved by thrombectomy and vein reanastomosis. And partial necrosis of flap occurred, but completely healed as conservative treatment for two weeks. Conclusion: Using the autologous tensor fascia lata graft and anterolateral thigh flap, we could obtain satisfactory results as treatment for the intractable infection lesion after duroplasty. Autologous tensor fascia lata in conjunction with anterolateral thigh flap is useful method for covering composite defect of scalp and dura mater.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.441-446
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• 2005

Sole reconstruction should consider both functional and aesthetic aspects; durable weight bearing surface, adequate contour for normal footwear, protective sensation and solid anchoring to deep tissue to resist shearing. The anterolateral thigh perforator free flap has such favorable characteristics as long pedicle, reliable perforators and minimal donor site morbidity. This flap can be safely thinned to 3-4 mm. It can also be elevated with sufficient bulk with muscles like vastus lateralis for complex defect. Between June 2002 and December 2004, 48 cases of sole reconstruction were performed with anterolateral thigh perforator free flaps. Follow up period ranged from 4 to 34 months with a mean of 14.7 months and with exception of one case, all flaps survived. One case of total flap loss was noted due to infection in a patient who was administered lifetime immunosuppressant. Partial necroses developed in three cases but were treated conservatively. Satisfactory aesthetic and functional results were achieved and acceptable gait recovery was noted. Seventy-eight percent of the patients regained protective sensation by 6 months and earlier sensory recovery was noted in sensate flap group. The authors also present a standardized protocol for preoperative patient evaluation and postoperative management and rehabilitation.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.88-92
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• 2010

The forefoot reconstruction is a challenging field for plastic surgeons. Weight bearing tolerability and stability are important factor of choosing reconstruction methods, but cosmetic aspect has to be considered. 51 year old man visited our clinic with extensive degloving injury on right forefoot by roller. The soft tissue defect started from metatarsal area to the toe tip including nails. We harvested the anterolateral thigh flap and transferred it to the forefoot defect area with nerve coaptation. The flap was successful without skin necrosis or other complications. Secondary flap debulking surgery was performed after ten months from initial operation. Patient was satisfied with functional and cosmetic outcomes. The patient was able to wear shoes and walk with adequate sensory recovery. As there is few report about reconstruction of forefoot soft tissue defects, we report a unique case of the anterolateral thigh innervated free flap reconstruction in degloving injury.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.108-111
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• 2010

Purpose: In reconstructing a defect on the dorsum of the hand, there are many cases of extensor tendons exposed or even missing. The repaired or reconstructed tendons need relevant gliding environment for good functional recovery. The anterolateral thigh flap offers a vascular fascial component with large amounts that can be used for covering exposed tendons and we report a unique case of single-stage hand dorsum and gliding surface reconstruction. Methods: A 35-year-old man had severe post-traumatic scarring in his left dorsal hand and coverage of the flap with split-thickness skin graft has been done before. After scarred skin excision and extensor tendon graft for missed part, a free anterolateral thigh adipofascial flap was used to resurface the hand dorsum and to reconstruct a two-layer gliding surface of the extensor tendons. The extensor tendons were wrapped in the fascial component with the fat layer inside. Results: He had an uneventful postoperative course without infection, dehiscence and flap necrosis. Good overall functional recovery and tendon excursion were observed. He was also satisfied with postoperative appearance. Conclusion: A free anterolateral thigh adipofascial flap was used successfully for reconstruction of a two-layer tendon gliding surface to treat a patient with severe scarring in the dorsal hand.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.571-577
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• 2009

Purpose: The Provision of thin and pliable tissue and the adequate coverage of tendon - gliding surface is necessary for a soft tissue defect of the hand with exposure of bone, tendon and muscle. This report will discuss our experience with anterolateral thigh fascial free flap for the reconstruction of the soft tissue defect of the hand. Methods: Between February 2004 and August 2008, seven patients with full - thickness soft tissue defects of the hand were reconstructed by means of a composite anterolateral thigh fascial free flap. There were soft tissue defects associated with trauma (n=5), scar contracture (n=1) and necrosis due to ischemia (n=1). Flaps were harvested from the anterolateral thigh as adipofascial flaps with only a small sheet of fascia and fatty tissue above it. The fascia and the skin of the donor site was closed directly and delayed split - thickness skin graft was performed. Result: All flaps survived completely. The size of the transferred flap ranged from $2{\times}4cm$ to $5{\times}8cm$. Thin flap coverage was possible without secondary debulking operations. It left minimal donor site morbidity with a linear scar. In one case, the thigh muscle herniation in the donor site was developed. Conclusion: The anterolateral thigh fascial free flap provided thin and pliable tissue which can establish a tendon - gliding mechanism, minimal bulk, minimal donor site morbidity. The disadvantages of this technique were the need for a skin graft and the muscle herniation of donor site.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.147-152
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• 2009

Purpose: First web space contracture of the hand has been treated with various surgical techniques such as Z - plasty, local flap, pedicled flap, distant free flap, and anterolateral thigh free flap. Among those surgical techniques, anterolateral thigh free flap provide a thin and pliable flap, which is a useful method for correction of first web space contracture. Methods: From August 2003 to September 2007, authors selected 9 patients who had first web space contracture with limitation of thumb abduction within 30 degrees. All of patients had received first web contracture release with anterolateral thigh free flap. Age ranged from 24 to 51, and all the patients were male. Average follow up period was 12 months and authors performed photographic analysis of the thumb abduction angle of postoperative increase. Result: All the flaps were survived. Donor site was closed with primary closure in 8 cases and covered with split - thickness skin graft in 1 case. Average flap size was $8{\times}9cm$ and average thickness was 0.6 cm in suprafascial flap. The procedure resulted in increased thumb abduction angle of $34.7^{\circ}$ in average and showed concave shape of first web space in suprafascial flap. Additional operations were performed with Z - plasty in 3 cases, local flap in 5 cases, and opponensplasty in 3 cases. Conclusion: In suprafascial flap, we obtained relatively thin flap thickness and were able to make natural concave shape of first web space. In releasing severe contracture of the first web space, anterolateral thigh free flap provided a good coverage of appropriate thickness and pliable soft tissue and allowed limited donor site morbidity.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.679-682
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• 2011

Purpose: Neurofibromas of neuroectodermal origin are commonly found in Von Recklinghausens disease or neurofibormatosis type 1. It is an autosomal dominant disease caused by mutation of the long arm of chromosome 17. It can present from small nodules to disfiguring giant tumor. Plexiform neurofibroma is benign in most cases, but it could be transformed into malignant tumor, which requires surgical excision. To cover the defects after the excision, a number of surgical correction methods are available. This study is to report a surgical correction of disfiguring plexiform neurofibroma using anterolateral thigh free flap for extensive defects after surgical excision of neurofibrona. Methods: Data of five neurofibroma patients with an average age of 39 including medical history, physical examination, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging were checked. No disease other than neurofibroma were detected. Biopsy on the excised tissues was performed. The follow-up period was 7 to 27 months. Results: The average size of defects after complete excision of neurofibroma was $13{\times}10{\sim}25{\times}15$ cm. Defects were covered by anterolateral thigh free flap, while donor sites were covered by local flap, split thickness skin graft and regional flap. Throughout follow-up, there were no complication, relapse, or any abnormalities. Conclusion: Despite various surgical correction methods are applicable to defects after excision on disfiguring plexiform neurofibroma, coverage of massive defects is still challenging in plastic and reconstructive surgeon. We have made five successful cases of surgical correction of disfiguring plexiform neurofibroma using anterolateral thigh free flap.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.113-115
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• 2011

We present our experience of reconstruction of inguinal soft tissue defect following inguinal lymphadenectomy, because of penile squamous cell carcinoma. Malignant infiltration required wide resection, producing a defect requiring complex soft tissue reconstruction. We have used a pedicled anterolateral thigh flap as our first choice flap for this case. Patient achieved reasonable esthetic coverage. Complications were few and patient achieved durable long term coverage. We found this flap to be technically easy, reliable and effective.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.114-120
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• 2021

Background The pedicled anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap has become more popular for the reconstruction of soft-tissue defects in neighboring areas. Nonetheless, few studies in the literature have explored the use of this flap for trochanteric ulcer reconstruction. The aim of our study is to present the author's experience of utilizing the ALT flap, with a focus on technical elements regarding the flap design and the tunneling method to maximize the reach of the flap. Methods The medical records of patients who received pedicled ALT flaps for the reconstruction of trochanteric pressure sores were retrospectively reviewed. The patients' demographic data, operative details, and postoperative complications were evaluated. Results Between October 2018 and December 2019, 10 consecutive patients (age range, 13-45 years) underwent 11 pedicled ALT myocutaneous flaps for trochanteric pressure sore reconstruction. Each flap was designed around the most distal cutaneous perforator that was included in the proximal third of the skin paddle. The flaps ranged in size from 11×6 to 14×8 cm. The ALT flap was transposed through a lateral subcutaneous tunnel in five patients, while the open tunnel technique was used in six patients. All flaps survived, and no vascular compromise was observed. Conclusions The pedicled ALT flap is a safe and reliable option for reconstructing trochanteric pressure sores. An appropriate flap design and a good choice of the tunneling method are crucial for successful flap transposition.