Antegrade anterolateral thigh perforator flap advancement for soft-tissue reconstruction of the knee: case report.

Abstract

Reconstruction of soft-tissue defects of the knee has always been a challenging task to the plastic surgeon. In some cases, local or regional flaps are too small or have limited arc of rotation for adequate coverage. Free flaps can be technically demanding and time consuming. We report for the first time an antegrade anterolateral thigh perforator flap advancement, used to reconstruct the knee soft tissue defect in a 54-year-old man. The operative procedure required skeletonizing the perforators of anterolateral thigh flap and advancing the flap in the defect. The postoperative course was uneventful with the patient returned to normal daily activity and full range of motion 3-months postoperatively. The shorter operating time with decreased donor-site morbidity make this flap as a valuable alternative for soft-tissue reconstruction of the knee.