For the reconstruction of various tissue defects, free tissue transfer has been a very popular method in recent years. A large thin flap is required for aesthetic and functional resurfacing of the extremity defects. As a result, anterolateral thigh free flap has been thought to be useful in reconstructing soft tissue defects requiring thin flap coverage of extremities. The anterolateral thigh flap is a septocutaneous flap based on the septocutaneous or musculocutaneous perforators of the lateral femoral circumflex system. It supplies a large area of skin on the anterolateral aspect of the thigh. The advantages of this flap are safe elevation, a long vascular pedicle, and large caliber vessel. The donor scar is inconspicuous and it could also be used in a sensated flap. From September 1996 to December 1997, 16 cases of soft tissue defect on extremities were resurfaced with anterolateral thigh free flap and the outcomes were satisfactory. This flap is considered useful in one-stage reconstruction of large soft tissue defects of extremities.
Cicatrix ; Equipment and Supplies ; Extremities* ; Free Tissue Flaps* ; Humans ; Skin ; Thigh* ; Tissue Donors

The latissimus dorsi muscle or musculocutaneous flap is one of the most useful flaps in reconstructive surgery. This flap has many advantages, such as its reliable anatomy, long pedicle with large caliber vessels, minimal functional deficit of the donor site, and low incidence of donor site complications. However, the bulkiness of the flap has been considered a disadvantage, so various modifications of technique have been devised. The cutaneous portion of the flap can be safely elevated based on the cutaneous perforating branch of the thoracodorsal vessel. From March 1997 to February 1998, 10 patients underwent reconstructive procedures with thoracodorsal perforator-based free flaps. The composition of the flaps varied in accordance with the nature of the defect. The variances in the flaps were as follows; 3 were cutaneous, 6 musculocutaneous, and 1 osteomusculocutaneous including the rib. All flaps survived with good contour. We concluded that this thin and reliable flap was useful for reconstruction of various defects, and that the composition of the flap, such as subcutaneous, muscle and bone, gave it considerable flexibility as needed.
Free Tissue Flaps* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Myocutaneous Flap ; Pliability ; Ribs ; Superficial Back Muscles ; Tissue Donors

Facial clefts are uncommon congenital deformities in comparison to the clefts of the lip and palate. the clinical expression of the craniofacial clefts is highly variable. the face can be marred by a faint expression of the cleft or be disfigured by a full representation of the defect. the extent of the soft tissue and skeletal components is also variable, and they are seldom affected to an equal degree. Generally, discription of the clefts are based on the bony malformation, since the skeletal landmarks tend to be more constant. I report six cases of rare craniofacial clefts that I recently experienced. the soft tissue repair was accomplished with local flaps from cheek, eyelid and nose. Additional vertical length was obtained from the lower Z-plasty flaps in the sutures. the coloboma was corrected with local flaps and a cartilage graft, the depression of cheek with a dermofat graft, and the macrostomia with the repositioning of orbicularls oris muscle and a Z-plasty. the results were cosmetically acceptable.
Cartilage ; Cheek ; Coloboma ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Depression ; Eyelids ; Lip ; Macrostomia ; Nose ; Palate ; Sutures ; Transplants

As the use of free tissue reconstruction becomes more routine, attention is being focused not only on flap survival, but also on functional refinements in these flaps. One of the more important aspects of improving the outcome of these reconstruction may relate to the return of sensation. The anterolateral thigh free flap is based on the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery. This fasciocutaneous flap is indicated whenever a relatively thin flap is required in reconstruction. A neurosensory flap can be employed based on the anterior branched of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve of the thigh. Since 1996, 15 patients with soft tissue defect on various regious were treated by using the anterolateral thigh sensate free falp. All flaps survived without total loss. Anastomosis of the sensible nerve on the recipient site with the anterior branch of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve of the thigh was performed. All patients showed recovery of sensation in the anterolateral thigh sensate free falp beginning between the 4th and 6th month postoperatively. Follow-up periods ranged from 8 to 34 months and the results of sensory recovery were satisfactory. Therefore, resensitization of an anterolateral thigh free flap should be attempted by a nerve anastomosis in this transplant. The longterm success in this study suggests the benefits of microsurgical neurotization in free tissue transplantation.
Femoral Artery ; Follow-Up Studies ; Free Tissue Flaps* ; Humans ; Nerve Transfer ; Sensation ; Thigh* ; Tissue Transplantation ; Transplants

No abstract available.
Animals ; Enalapril* ; Nicardipine* ; Nitroprusside* ; Rats* ; Skin*

No abstract available.
Salivary Ducts*

No abstract available.
Skin Neoplasms* ; Skin*

No abstract available.
Paraffin* ; Silicones*

No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Basal Cell* ; Eyelids*

No abstract available.
Burns* ; Humans