Objective:To investigate the effect and clinical efficacy of assisted negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) dressing on reduction of the size of free anterolateral thigh perforator flap (ALTPF) in reconstruction of soft tissue defects of limbs, and to observe the clinical efficacy of NPWT in free ALTPF surgery.Methods:From June 2022 to January 2024, 19 patient (13 males and 6 females) with soft tissue defects in limbs received surgical treatment using NPWT assisted transfer of free ALTPF in the Department of Repair and Reconstruction Surgery, Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Eighth School of Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Of the 19 defects, 8 were in calf, 7 in foot and around ankle, 3 in forearm and 1 around elbow. The soft tissue defects ranged from 11.2 cm×9.5 cm to 24.5 cm×10.5 cm, and with comminuted fracture in different degrees as well as the exposure of bone, tendon or nerve. During surgery, the ALTPFs were harvested with a reduced width from the donor sites at 10.5 cm×7.0 cm to 24.0 cm×7.5 cm in size. After an ALTPF had been transferred to the recipient site, the remaining defect that was not covered by the ALTPF was then covered by a NPWT dressing. After the flap was stabilised, NPWT dressing was removed and the defect was closed by directly suture. Surgical data were taken and recorded during surgery. The healing of wound and survival of flaps were observed after surgery. Scheduled postoperative follow-ups were conducted through outpatient clinic or via WeChat reviews to monitor the overall appearance of recipient and donor sites, colour of flap, complications and functional recovery, and other relevant information. Functional recovery of upper limb was evaluated according to the Evaluation Trial Standards of Upper Limb Partial Functional of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association, and the functional recovery of lower extremity was evaluated according to the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS).Results:The flaps were all fully viable, with soft texture and good appearance, the width of the flaps was designed 2.0-3.5 cm smaller than that of the defect, and the size of the flaps was 32.9-77.3 cm 2 smaller than that of the defects. All donor sites were closed by suture in the primary surgery, and left with linear scars. Postoperative follow-up lasted for 4 to 18 months. Of the 4 patients with upper limb injuries, 3 achieved the limb function in excellent and 1 in good; While of the 15 patients with lower limb injuries, 12 achieved the limb function in excellent, 2 in good and 1 in fair. Conclusion:Combination of NPWT dressing and free ALTPF is in accordance with the theory of flap economics and the concept of minimal damage to donor site. It avoids the waste of soft tissues, and provides a new idea for traumatic surgery.

Objective:To investigate the effect and clinical efficacy of assisted negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) dressing on reduction of the size of free anterolateral thigh perforator flap (ALTPF) in reconstruction of soft tissue defects of limbs, and to observe the clinical efficacy of NPWT in free ALTPF surgery.Methods:From June 2022 to January 2024, 19 patient (13 males and 6 females) with soft tissue defects in limbs received surgical treatment using NPWT assisted transfer of free ALTPF in the Department of Repair and Reconstruction Surgery, Foshan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Eighth School of Clinical Medicine, Guangzhou University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Of the 19 defects, 8 were in calf, 7 in foot and around ankle, 3 in forearm and 1 around elbow. The soft tissue defects ranged from 11.2 cm×9.5 cm to 24.5 cm×10.5 cm, and with comminuted fracture in different degrees as well as the exposure of bone, tendon or nerve. During surgery, the ALTPFs were harvested with a reduced width from the donor sites at 10.5 cm×7.0 cm to 24.0 cm×7.5 cm in size. After an ALTPF had been transferred to the recipient site, the remaining defect that was not covered by the ALTPF was then covered by a NPWT dressing. After the flap was stabilised, NPWT dressing was removed and the defect was closed by directly suture. Surgical data were taken and recorded during surgery. The healing of wound and survival of flaps were observed after surgery. Scheduled postoperative follow-ups were conducted through outpatient clinic or via WeChat reviews to monitor the overall appearance of recipient and donor sites, colour of flap, complications and functional recovery, and other relevant information. Functional recovery of upper limb was evaluated according to the Evaluation Trial Standards of Upper Limb Partial Functional of Hand Surgery of Chinese Medical Association, and the functional recovery of lower extremity was evaluated according to the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS).Results:The flaps were all fully viable, with soft texture and good appearance, the width of the flaps was designed 2.0-3.5 cm smaller than that of the defect, and the size of the flaps was 32.9-77.3 cm 2 smaller than that of the defects. All donor sites were closed by suture in the primary surgery, and left with linear scars. Postoperative follow-up lasted for 4 to 18 months. Of the 4 patients with upper limb injuries, 3 achieved the limb function in excellent and 1 in good; While of the 15 patients with lower limb injuries, 12 achieved the limb function in excellent, 2 in good and 1 in fair. Conclusion:Combination of NPWT dressing and free ALTPF is in accordance with the theory of flap economics and the concept of minimal damage to donor site. It avoids the waste of soft tissues, and provides a new idea for traumatic surgery.