Immediate Lower Extremity Reconstruction Using an Anterolateral Thigh Free Flap With Simultaneous Interposition Graft of Descending Branches of Lateral Circumflex Femoral Vessels

Abstract

In a severely injured leg with acute limb ischemia, both immediate revascularization of an endangered part and coverage of soft tissue defect are crucial to limb salvage. In this article, we report a case of an anterolateral thigh free flap with interposition graft of descending branches of the lateral circumflex femoral vessels. A 18-cm-long graft was harvested and used to replace the injured anterior tibial vessels. One month later, a duplex sonogram revealed intact circulation to both the interposition graft and the flap. Despite anatomic inconstancy, the anterolateral thigh free flap is commonly utilized in reconstructive surgeries. When descending branches of the lateral femoral circumflex vessels were included sufficiently, its pedicle can be used to bridge a vascular defect in the extremity while covering soft tissue defect.