Classification of bilobar anterolateral thigh perforator flaps based on color Doppler ultrasound and donor site evaluation
10.3760/cma.j.cn115530-20240811-00337
- VernacularTitle:基于彩色多普勒超声的双叶股前外侧穿支皮瓣分型及供区评估研究
- Author:
Fuqiang YANG
1
;
Yuxiang ZHAO
;
Xuejian GAO
;
Jianjian GE
;
Qishen FAN
;
Jianguo WANG
;
Xiaodong ZHAO
Author Information
1. 山东第二医科大学附属医院创伤骨科，潍坊 261042
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Ultrasonography, Doppler;
Surgical flaps;
Anterolateral thigh perforator flaps;
Bilobar;
Donor site
- From:
Chinese Journal of Orthopaedic Trauma
2025;27(6):521-528
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To explore the classification of bilobar anterolateral thigh perforator flaps assisted by color Doppler ultrasonography and its impact on their donor sites.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted of the data of 67 patients with large soft tissue defects who had been repaired with anterolateral thigh perforator flaps at Department of Orthopaedics, The Hospital Affiliated to The Second Medical University of Shandong, Department of Orthopaedics, The 80th Group Army Hospital of the People's Liberation Army, and Department of Orthopaedics, Weifang Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital. The patients were divided into 2 groups according to their flaps used: a unilobar group and a bilobar group. In the unilobar group, 36 cases [25 males and 11 females with an age of (40.3±8.3) years] were repaired with a unilobar anterolateral thigh perforator flap from March 2015 to April 2019. In the bilobar group, 31 cases [22 males and 9 females with an age of (38.9±7.4) years] were repaired with a bilobar anterolateral thigh perforator flap from May 2019 to August 2023. Color Doppler ultrasonography was used to classify the bilobar flaps into 4 types according to the different distributions of perforating vessels: common trunk type, separate trunks type, fascia dependent type, and composite mixed type. The number of perforating vessels and type of perforator flap found by preoperative color Doppler ultrasound were compared with the intraoperative findings in the bilobar group. One year after operation, recovery rate of donor muscle strength, rate of skin paresthesia, scar length at the donor site, the widest scar width and motor function were compared between the 2 groups.Results:The number of perforating vessels and type of perforator flap found by preoperative color Doppler ultrasound were consistent with the intraoperative findings ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the preoperative general data between the 2 groups, indicating comparability ( P>0.05). One year after operation in the bilobar group, the recovery rate of donor muscle strength was 96.8% (30/31), significantly higher than that in the unilobar group [77.8% (28/36)], the rate of skin paresthesia 6.5% (2/31), significantly lower than that in the unilobar group [27.8% (10/36)], the scar length at the donor site (22.18±5.02) cm, significantly longer than that in unilobar group [(17.35±3.11) cm], the widest scar width (7.26±1.58) mm, significantly narrower than that in the unilobar group [(43.72±9.81) mm], and the scores of Vancouver Scar Assessment Scale and Fugl-Meyer lower limb motor function scale were (1.95±0.57) points and (8.39±2.17) points, respectively, significantly lower than those in the unilobar group [(6.38±1.72) points and (14.02±3.54) points] ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Preoperative classification of bilobar anterolateral thigh perforator flaps assisted by color Doppler ultrasonography may provide guidance for flap harvesting and lobe layout of the flap. Compared to traditional unilobar flaps, bilobar ones may minimize tissue damage at a donor site.
