A Study on the Versatility and Outcome of Free Anterolateral Thigh Flap for Coverage of Large Complex Defects.

Introduction: Free tissue transfer is warranted when local aps cannot be harvested outside the zone of injury or when soft tissue defects are extensive and are complicated by exposure of bone, tendon, vessel, nerves or implants. The free anterolateral thigh ap is one such option. It is a fasciocutaneous (FC) ap based on the septocutaneous or musculocutaneous perforators of the descending branch of the lateral circumex femoral artery. : This prospective study was conducted from June 2021 to December 2022. A total of 10 patien Materials And Methods ts were included in the study : Out of 10 patients, 6 were females and 4 were males. The maximum patients were in the age Results group of 41-60 years. Maximum patients had malignancy as the etiological factor. The ap was used for lower extremity defect reconstruction in 5 patients while for the rest it was done for upper extremity, scalp and abdominal defect reconstruction. The maximum length of the ap taken was 22cm and the maximum width taken was 18cm. The average pedicle length was 11cm. All required STSG coverage for closure of donor site. The mean duration of ap harvest was 2hrs 10min and the mean duration of surgery was 6hrs 52min. Flap congestion was seen in 3 patients which required re-exploration. Out of these, 2 aps had complete necrosis. The free anterolateral thigh ap is a workhorse ap for reconstruction of Conclusion: large complex defects. It is easy to harvest with relatively constant anatomy, offers long and large pedicle, and has minimal donor site morbidity.