ABSTRACT
The indications for a free flap for thigh defects are relatively uncommon. Regardless,
a reasonable recipient site will always be of paramount importance. The major femoral
vessels, usually accessed via the medial thigh, would be a conventional selection.
If these are at risk within the zone of injury, or if the defect is more lateral,
the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral vessels might be a more suitable
alternative. The surgical approach is virtually identical to that used to raise the
familiar anterolateral thigh flap, where in a similar fashion a long pedicle of large
caliber can be obtained to simplify end-to-end microanastomoses. This has proven to
be an invaluable resource as demonstrated in two clinical cases.
KEYWORDS
Anterolateral thigh muscle perforator flap - free flap - microsurgery - recipient
site - microanastomosis - lateral circumflex femoral vessels
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, [Discussion]
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Geoffrey G HallockM.D.
1230 S. Cedar Crest Blvd., Suite 306
Allentown, PA 18103
