• Juyu Tang, Wei Du, Liming Qing, Panfeng Wu, Zhengbing Zhou, Fang Yu, Xiaoyang Pang, Lei Zeng, Ding Pan, Yongbing Xiao, and Rui Liu.
• Department of Hand and Microsurgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha Hunan, 410008, P.R.China.tangjuyu@csu.edu.cn.
• Zhongguo Xiu Fu Chong Jian Wai Ke Za Zhi. 2018 Aug 15; 32 (8): 1052-1055.

ObjectiveTo investigate the feasibility and efficacy of the Flow-through chimeric anterolateral thigh perforator (ALTP) flap for one-stage repair and revascularization in complex defects of the extremities.MethodsBetween May 2014 and June 2017, 6 patients with soft tissue defects on the limbs combined with dead space, bone defects, or tendon and joint exposure, were reconstructed with the Flow-through chimeric ALTP flap. All 6 patients were male. The patients' mean age was 44 years (range, 26-60 years). The mechanisms of injury were traffic accidents in 4 cases, wringer injury in 1 case, and bruise injury caused by heavy object in 1 case. The defects located at the lower extremity in 5 cases and at the upper extremity in 1 case. The area of the wound ranged from 7 cm×4 cm to 26 cm×10 cm. There were 3 cases of bone defect, 3 cases of joint and tendon exposure, 2 cases of chronic osteomyelitis, and 2 cases of main artery injury. The muscle flap was inserted into the deep dead space, with perforator flap for superficial defect. The area of perforator flap ranged from 10 cm×5 cm to 28 cm×11 cm and the area of muscle flap ranged from 5 cm×2 cm to 20 cm×5 cm. The defects on the donor sites were closed directly.ResultsAll the flaps were survival without infection and vascular crisis. The wounds of recipient and donor sites healed at first intention. The patients were followed up 3- 24 months (mean, 10 months). Good color and texture of flaps was achieved. The reconstructed main artery patency was achieved and the end of the affected limb was well transported. Only linear scar left on the donor site on thigh with no malfunction.ConclusionThe Flow-through chimeric ALTP flap can construct three-dimensional soft tissue defects without sacrificing the recipient vessels. The Flow-through chimeric ALTP flap is an reliable and ideal method for reconstruction of complex wounds in the limbs with dead space and with or without recipient major vessels injury.

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