Abstract
The anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap is one of the commonly used sensate flaps for intra-oral,
hand, and foot reconstruction. The objective of this study was to describe the anatomic
location of the sensory nerves supplying the ALT flap in relation to the surface landmarks
and with the vascular pedicles. The dissections were carried out in 28 embalmed specimens.
An axial line from the anterior superior iliac spine to the superolateral border of
the patella and two circles with radii of 5 and 10 cm centered on the midpoint of
the former line were used for the surface landmarks. At the intersection point of
the axial line and the 10-cm circle, the main lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN)
and its anterior branch were located within 1 and 2.4 cm, respectively. At the intersection
point of the axial line and the 5-cm circle, the anterior branch of the LFCN was located
within 2.8 cm. The anterior branch of the LFCN can be detected within 3 cm from the
central perforator pedicle in all specimens. The posterior branch of the LFCN, superior
perforator nerve, and median perforator nerve were found in more variable locations.
The findings from our study provide additional information for clinical use in the
planning of sensate ALT flap harvest.
Keywords
Anterolateral thigh flap - Sensate flap - Neural anatomy - Lateral femoral cutaneous
nerve
