Unusual Venous Drainage of A Reverse-Flow Anterolateral Thigh Flap: A Case Report | ||||
| The Egyptian Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery | ||||
| Article 7, Volume 47, Issue 1, January 2023, Page 37-39 PDF (4.53 MB) | ||||
| Document Type: Case Report | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejprs.2023.284340 | ||||
 View on SCiNiTO | ||||
| Author | ||||
| Amr M. E. Khater* | ||||
| The Department of Plastic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Mansoura University | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Background: The anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap is a versatile perforator flap. It can be used as a pedicled flap, a reverse flow flap, or a free flap. However, a thorough understanding of the anatomic variations of the vascular pedicle of this flap is important for successful flap elevation. Aim: Presenting a case of unusual venous drainage of reverse-flow anterolateral thigh flap. Methods: We report a case of reverse-flow (ALT) flap < br />with anatomic variation of its venous outflow. During flap < br />elevation, an anomalous vein was found in the intermuscular septum between the vastus lateralis and vastus intermedialis muscles. Temporary occlusion of this vein resulted in intraoperative flap congestion. So, we decided to include this vein with the flap. The flap had two venous systems. The first venous system was the vena comitantes of the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral vessels and the second was the anomalous vein that emerged from the vastus intermedius muscle. Results: Postoperative course was uneventful and the flap < br />survived completely. We did not observe any flap congestion or flap arterial insufficiency. Complete wound healing was achieved in 3 weeks. Conclusions: We conclude that this anomalous vein has a significant contribution to the venous outflow of this flap. Meticulous planning and intraoperative dissection is needed for successful elevation of ALT flap. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| Anterolateral Thigh; Knee; Quadriceps Tendon; Lateral circumflex femoral | ||||
| References | ||||
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