Versatility of the Anterolateral Thigh Flap for Abdominal Wall Reconstruction
Background:. Abdominal wall reconstruction represents an ambitious and demanding challenge. This study aimed to illustrate the versatility of the anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap in its different designs for the reconstruction of complex defects of the abdominal wall. Methods:. Charts of patients with...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Wolters Kluwer
2025-01-01
|
| Series: | Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open |
| Online Access: | http://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/10.1097/GOX.0000000000006433 |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1832589645533151232 |
|---|---|
| author | Nadine E. Pedrazzi, MD Riccardo Schweizer, MD Holger J. Klein, MD Stephan Steiner, MD René Vonlanthen, MD Thomas Hermanns, MD Didier Schneiter, MD Pietro Giovanoli, MD Jan A. Plock, MD |
| author_facet | Nadine E. Pedrazzi, MD Riccardo Schweizer, MD Holger J. Klein, MD Stephan Steiner, MD René Vonlanthen, MD Thomas Hermanns, MD Didier Schneiter, MD Pietro Giovanoli, MD Jan A. Plock, MD |
| author_sort | Nadine E. Pedrazzi, MD |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background:. Abdominal wall reconstruction represents an ambitious and demanding challenge. This study aimed to illustrate the versatility of the anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap in its different designs for the reconstruction of complex defects of the abdominal wall.
Methods:. Charts of patients with complex abdominal wall defects who underwent a reconstruction with an ALT flap at the University Hospital of Zurich (2018–2020) were reviewed retrospectively. Patient characteristics and ALT flaps used were analyzed in detail.
Results:. Ten patients received a total of 12 ALT flaps. Free flaps were applied to defects in the upper third of the abdomen. All flaps were harvested with a fascial component. An iliotibial tract reinforcement was incorporated in 4 (33%) cases, and 1 case included a muscular component and motor nerve, to provide functional reconstructive potential. A total of 30% of cases experienced complications requiring surgical revision during a mean follow-up of 5 months.
Conclusions:. The ALT flap represents a workhorse in abdominal wall reconstruction due to its versatility and anatomical proximity. Depending on the localization of the defect, this flap can be used in a pedicled or free microsurgical manner. The fascial component of the ALT fasciocutaneous flap and of the extended iliotibial tract provides stable fascia for reinforcement or fascial reconstruction of the abdominal wall. Raised as a chimeric flap with vastus lateralis muscle and motor branch of the femoral nerve, it is a viable option for functional reconstructions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-97748e4e0bdc4903b40776460857fd05 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2169-7574 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | Wolters Kluwer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open |
| spelling | doaj-art-97748e4e0bdc4903b40776460857fd052025-01-24T09:19:58ZengWolters KluwerPlastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open2169-75742025-01-01131e643310.1097/GOX.0000000000006433202501000-00016Versatility of the Anterolateral Thigh Flap for Abdominal Wall ReconstructionNadine E. Pedrazzi, MD0Riccardo Schweizer, MD1Holger J. Klein, MD2Stephan Steiner, MD3René Vonlanthen, MD4Thomas Hermanns, MD5Didier Schneiter, MD6Pietro Giovanoli, MD7Jan A. Plock, MD8From the * Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Cantonal Hospital Aarau, Aarau, Switzerland† Department of Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Surgery, Lugano Regional Hospital, Lugano, SwitzerlandFrom the * Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Cantonal Hospital Aarau, Aarau, SwitzerlandFrom the * Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Cantonal Hospital Aarau, Aarau, Switzerland§ Department of Visceral and Transplant Surgery, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland¶ Department of Urology, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland∥ Department of Thoracic Surgery, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.‡ Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Burn Center, University of Zurich, University Hospital Zürich, Zurich, SwitzerlandFrom the * Department of Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery, Cantonal Hospital Aarau, Aarau, SwitzerlandBackground:. Abdominal wall reconstruction represents an ambitious and demanding challenge. This study aimed to illustrate the versatility of the anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap in its different designs for the reconstruction of complex defects of the abdominal wall. Methods:. Charts of patients with complex abdominal wall defects who underwent a reconstruction with an ALT flap at the University Hospital of Zurich (2018–2020) were reviewed retrospectively. Patient characteristics and ALT flaps used were analyzed in detail. Results:. Ten patients received a total of 12 ALT flaps. Free flaps were applied to defects in the upper third of the abdomen. All flaps were harvested with a fascial component. An iliotibial tract reinforcement was incorporated in 4 (33%) cases, and 1 case included a muscular component and motor nerve, to provide functional reconstructive potential. A total of 30% of cases experienced complications requiring surgical revision during a mean follow-up of 5 months. Conclusions:. The ALT flap represents a workhorse in abdominal wall reconstruction due to its versatility and anatomical proximity. Depending on the localization of the defect, this flap can be used in a pedicled or free microsurgical manner. The fascial component of the ALT fasciocutaneous flap and of the extended iliotibial tract provides stable fascia for reinforcement or fascial reconstruction of the abdominal wall. Raised as a chimeric flap with vastus lateralis muscle and motor branch of the femoral nerve, it is a viable option for functional reconstructions.http://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/10.1097/GOX.0000000000006433 |
| spellingShingle | Nadine E. Pedrazzi, MD Riccardo Schweizer, MD Holger J. Klein, MD Stephan Steiner, MD René Vonlanthen, MD Thomas Hermanns, MD Didier Schneiter, MD Pietro Giovanoli, MD Jan A. Plock, MD Versatility of the Anterolateral Thigh Flap for Abdominal Wall Reconstruction Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open |
| title | Versatility of the Anterolateral Thigh Flap for Abdominal Wall Reconstruction |
| title_full | Versatility of the Anterolateral Thigh Flap for Abdominal Wall Reconstruction |
| title_fullStr | Versatility of the Anterolateral Thigh Flap for Abdominal Wall Reconstruction |
| title_full_unstemmed | Versatility of the Anterolateral Thigh Flap for Abdominal Wall Reconstruction |
| title_short | Versatility of the Anterolateral Thigh Flap for Abdominal Wall Reconstruction |
| title_sort | versatility of the anterolateral thigh flap for abdominal wall reconstruction |
| url | http://journals.lww.com/prsgo/fulltext/10.1097/GOX.0000000000006433 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT nadineepedrazzimd versatilityoftheanterolateralthighflapforabdominalwallreconstruction AT riccardoschweizermd versatilityoftheanterolateralthighflapforabdominalwallreconstruction AT holgerjkleinmd versatilityoftheanterolateralthighflapforabdominalwallreconstruction AT stephansteinermd versatilityoftheanterolateralthighflapforabdominalwallreconstruction AT renevonlanthenmd versatilityoftheanterolateralthighflapforabdominalwallreconstruction AT thomashermannsmd versatilityoftheanterolateralthighflapforabdominalwallreconstruction AT didierschneitermd versatilityoftheanterolateralthighflapforabdominalwallreconstruction AT pietrogiovanolimd versatilityoftheanterolateralthighflapforabdominalwallreconstruction AT janaplockmd versatilityoftheanterolateralthighflapforabdominalwallreconstruction |