Use of the anterolateral thigh flap as an alternative to the rectus flap in obese and overweight patients Journal Article
| Authors: | Davidge, K.; Pusic, A.; Disa, J. J.; Mehrara, B. J. |
| Article Title: | Use of the anterolateral thigh flap as an alternative to the rectus flap in obese and overweight patients |
| Abstract: | INTRODUCTION: Oncologic reconstruction in obese patients can be challenging. Donor tissues, such as the rectus flap, can be excessively bulky and result in significant cosmetic and functional deformities. Although the use of the anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap as an alternative to the radial forearm flap has been extensively described, few studies have evaluated the use of the ALT flap as an alternative to the rectus flap. The purpose of this study was to evaluate our experience with the ALT flap in overweight or obese patients. METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted of all ALT flaps performed over a 2-year period at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. All patients with a body mass index (BMI) >25 kg/m were identified and evaluated. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients underwent ALT flap reconstruction during the study period. Of these, 11 patients were overweight (BMI, 25.1-30 kg/m) or obese (BMI, >30 kg/m). Reconstructions were performed for a variety of oncologic defects, including head and neck (n = 7), extremity (n = 2), chest wall (n = 1), and abdominal wall (n = 1). Complications were, in general, mild and infrequent. One patient experienced a minor infection, 1 patient had partial flap loss, and 2 patients had partial skin graft loss at the donor site. There were no flap losses. CONCLUSIONS: The ALT flap is a safe and reliable flap for reconstruction of diverse defects in overweight or obese patients. Large flaps can be designed and tailored to the defect by harvesting variable amounts of skin, subcutaneous tissues, fascia, and muscle. The ALT flap may be a good alternative to the rectus flap in overweight or obese patients. Copyright © 2006 by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. |
| Keywords: | adult; clinical article; treatment outcome; aged; middle aged; cancer surgery; treatment failure; reconstructive surgical procedures; retrospective studies; review; anterolateral thigh flap; surgical flaps; cancer radiotherapy; breast cancer; obesity; angiosarcoma; retrospective study; body mass; body mass index; thigh; head and neck cancer; soft tissue sarcoma; postoperative infection; free tissue graft; reconstruction; bone necrosis; radiation necrosis; skin graft; rectus abdominis; rectus abdominis muscle; muscle, skeletal; morbid obesity; obesity, morbid; rectus flap; methacrylic acid methyl ester; sigmoid carcinoma |
| Journal Title: | Annals of Plastic Surgery |
| Volume: | 56 |
| Issue: | 5 |
| ISSN: | 0148-7043 |
| Publisher: | Lippincott Williams & Wilkins |
| Date Published: | 2006-05-01 |
| Start Page: | 536 |
| End Page: | 539 |
| Language: | English |
| DOI: | 10.1097/01.sap.0000210536.97696.1f |
| PUBMED: | 16641631 |
| PROVIDER: | scopus |
| DOI/URL: | |
| Notes: | --- - "Cited By (since 1996): 6" - "Export Date: 4 June 2012" - "CODEN: APCSD" - "Source: Scopus" |
Altmetric
Citation Impact
BMJ Impact Analytics
Related MSK Work