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J Reconstr Microsurg 2015; 31(09): 684-687
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1558431
Letter to the Editor: Short Report
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Adipofascial Anterolateral Thigh Free Flaps for Oncologic Hand and Foot Reconstruction

Katie Weichman
1   Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, New York, New York
,
Robert J. Allen Jr.
2   Department of Plastic Surgery, Langone Medical Center, New York University, New York, New York
,
Vishal Thanik
2   Department of Plastic Surgery, Langone Medical Center, New York University, New York, New York
,
Evan Matros
3   Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
,
Babak J. Mehrara
3   Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

02 May 2015

10 June 2015

Publication Date:
15 September 2015 (online)

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The anterolateral thigh flap (ALT) was first described in 1984 for use in patients suffering from neck burn contracture.[1] Since that time it has proven to be advantageous in numerous different reconstructive scenarios. Despite this versatility, one criticism of the ALT is the propensity for flap thickness adjustments. Several solutions to this problem have been proposed: primary thinning, secondary liposuction, and, recently, the adipofascial ALT flap (aALT).

The aALT is harvested in a similar fashion to the standard fasciocutaneous ALT; however, the skin and subcutaneous adipose tissue are removed from the flap before transfer, leaving an ultrathin flap on the range of 0.5 to 2.8 cm.[2] Herein, we describe our experience using the aALT for reconstruction of oncologic defects of the hand and foot.

 

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