Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the functional and aesthetic outcomes of the thin anterolateral thigh perforator flap in upper extremity soft defects.
Background: Upper extremity soft tissue defects require a single-stage surgery that enables prompt, well-vascularized covering in order to get the best functional outcome.
Patients and methods: This follow-up study, which included 20 patients (15 male and 5 female), was conducted at Al-Azhar University Hospitals' Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department between July 2018 and October 2021. All patients were evaluated for their aesthetic and functional outcomes at 6 months post-operatively. In 16 cases, the defect was caused by acute trauma., while post-traumatic scarring was the cause in four cases.
Results: We studied the results of reconstruction of the upper extremity soft tissue defects utilizing thinned anterolateral thigh flaps. The study included 20 patients; the mean age of the patients was 30.1±12.5 years. The flap's mean thickness before thinning was 21 (15-32) mm and 5 (4-9) mm after thinning. Two cases suffered partial tip necrosis, three patients had hematomas as a result of primary flap thinning and one patient had flap ischemia. A team of 4 plastic surgeons as well as the patients themselves performed the functional and aesthetic assessment by a 5-point scale, QuickDASH score. The mean score of the QuickDASH score was 23.
Conclusion: The thin anterolateral thigh flap is flexible and reliable in upper extremity reconstruction.
Keywords: Thin anterolateral thigh flap; soft tissue reconstruction; upper limb