106 199

Cited 0 times in

Perforating patterns of cutaneous perforator vessels in anterolateral thigh flaps for head and neck reconstruction and clinical outcomes

Authors
 Sang Soo Lee  ;  Jong Won Hong  ;  Won Jae Lee  ;  In-Sik Yun 
Citation
 Archives of Craniofacial Surgery, Vol.23(2) : 64-70, 2022-04 
Journal Title
Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
ISSN
 2287-1152 
Issue Date
2022-04
Keywords
Free flap ; Microsurgery ; Reconstructive surgery
Abstract
Background: Anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps are versatile soft tissue flaps that have become the standard soft-tissue flaps used for head and neck reconstruction. They provide a long vascular pedicle, constant vessel diameter, abundant soft tissue coverage, and minimal donor site morbidity. The ALT flap was initially designed on the basis of a septocutaneous (SC) perforator. However, more recent research has shown that a substantial number of ALT flaps are now based on musculocutaneous (MC) perforators, and the ratio between MC and SC perforators varies among studies. In this study, we analyzed the perforating pattern of ALT flaps along with their clinical outcomes during head and neck reconstruction in the Korean population.

Methods: From October 2016 to July 2020, 68 patients who had undergone an ALT flap procedure for head and neck reconstruction were enrolled retrospectively. The perforating pattern of the cutaneous perforator vessel (MC perforator/SC perforator/oblique branch), pedicle length, and flap size were analyzed intraoperatively. Patient demographics and flap necrosis rates were also calculated.

Results: The highest number of cutaneous perforator vessels supplying the ALT flap were the MC perforators (87%). The proportion of MC perforators was significantly higher than that of the SC perforators and oblique branches. Flap necrosis occurred in seven cases (11.86%); sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, perforator course, and history of radiotherapy did not significantly affect flap necrosis.

Conclusion: The ALT free flap procedure remains popular for reconstruction of the head and neck. In this study, we observed that the majority of cutaneous vessels supplying the flaps were MC perforators (87%). When using the MC perforator during flap elevation, careful dissection of the perforator is required to achieve successful ALT flaps because intramuscular dissection is difficult. Perforator pattern and history of radiotherapy did not affect flap necrosis.
Files in This Item:
T202205125.pdf Download
DOI
10.7181/acfs.2022.00171
Appears in Collections:
1. College of Medicine (의과대학) > Dept. of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (성형외과학교실) > 1. Journal Papers
Yonsei Authors
Yun, In Sik(윤인식) ORCID logo https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1103-7047
Lee, Won Jai(이원재) ORCID logo https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3056-0503
Hong, Jong Won(홍종원) ORCID logo https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7762-0940
URI
https://ir.ymlib.yonsei.ac.kr/handle/22282913/191313
사서에게 알리기
  feedback

qrcode

Items in DSpace are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.

Browse

Links