Reconstruction of the Digit Using Anterolateral Thigh Perforator Flap

Sun Hee Park; Hak Soo Kim; Seong Eon Kim

doi:10.0000/jkssh.2012.17.4.183

Journal List > J Korean Soc Surg Hand > v.17(4) > 1106411

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Park, Kim, and Kim: Reconstruction of the Digit Using Anterolateral Thigh Perforator Flap

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Society for Surgery of the Hand

Journal of the Korean Society for Surgery of the Hand 2012; 17(4): 183-190.

Published online: 31 December 2012

DOI: https://doi.org/10.0000/jkssh.2012.17.4.183

Reconstruction of the Digit Using Anterolateral Thigh Perforator Flap

Sun Hee Park, Hak Soo Kim, Seong Eon Kim

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Pohang SM Christianity Hospital, Pohang, Korea.

Correspondence to: Seong Eon Kim. Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Pohang SM Christianity Hospital, 355, Posco-daero, Nam-gu, Pohang 790-822, Korea. TEL: +82-54-289-1713, FAX: +82-54-275-2805, pskim690@naver.com

Received 24 October 2012 Revised 6 December 2012 Accepted 6 December 2012

(open-access):

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract

Purpose

We reported the results of the digit reconstruction using anterolateral thigh perforator flap followed by delayed debulking operation.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed all patients with digital injury who underwent anterolateral thigh perforator flap and delayed debulking operation. Ten digits in 8 patients were included. Three months after the last operation, the circumferences of the reconstructed digits were measured.

Results

There were no partial or complete flap necrosis. Average circumferences of the reconstructed digits were 111 percent (range: 104-120 percent) of those of the normal digits.

Conclusion

Anterolateral thigh perforater flap and delayed debulking operation is a good option for the reconstruction of the large soft tissue defect of the digit.

Keywords: Digit, Soft tissue defect, Anterolateral thigh perforator flap

Figures and Tables

Fig. 1

(A) Elevation of the anterolateral thigh flap. The thickness of the flap was seen. (B) After contouring and debulking procedure, flap thickness was measured 2-3 mm.

Fig. 2

(A) Bone and soft tissue injury on the middle finger of the right hand. (B) After primary closure, tissue necrosis on the radial half was developed. (C) Postoperative view of anterolateral thigh flap before debulking. (D, E) After the debulking operation, the injured finger was reconstructed with very thin flap.

Fig. 3

(A) Degloving injury of the right index finger. (B) Postoperative view of anterolateral thigh flap before debulking. (C, D) After the flap debulking operation, the injured finger was reconstructed with very thin flap.

Fig. 4

(A) Severe burn injury on the ring and little finger of the left hand. (B) After the debridement. (C) The injured fingers were covered together by anterolateral thigh flap. Three weeks later, each finger was separated. (D) After the flap debulking and bone shortening operation, the fingers were reconstructed with very thin flaps.

Table 1

Patient data

References

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