Objective To investigate the clinical effects of perforating branch flaps of medial vastus muscle in repairing secondary wounds in donor sites of free anterolateral femoral perforator flaps.
Methods From August 2014 to December 2016, 12 patients (8 males and 4 females, aged 35-72 years) with skin and soft tissue defects of extremities associated with tendon and bone exposure were treated in Hanzhong Central Hospital. The sizes of the primary wounds after debridement were 10 cm×8 cm-22 cm×14 cm, and the wounds were repaired with 12 cm×10 cm-24 cm×16 cm free anterolateral femoral perforator flaps. The anterolateral femoral donor sites, which were 8.0 cm×4.0 cm-14.0 cm×7.5 cm in the secondary wounds after skin extensional suture, were repaired with perforating branch flaps of medial vastus muscle in the size of 9.0 cm×5.0 cm-15.0 cm×8.5 cm. The medial femoral donor sites were sutured directly.
Results All the perforating branch flaps of medial vastus muscle and free anterolateral femoral perforator flaps survived in 12 patients. Following up for 6 to 12 months, the medial femoral perforator flaps had good local shape and texture. The flaps of 8 patients without cutaneous nerve transection were sensitive. The sensation of the flaps of the other 4 patients gradually recovered, and the functions of the ipsilateral knee joints were normal.
Conclusions The medial femoral perforator flap has a stable anatomy and abundant blood supply, which can be used to repair the secondary wound in the donor site of the free anterolateral femoral perforator flap conveniently. It is safe and easy to be popularized. Moreover, it has a good shape and function after operation.
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