Delayed abdominal wall reconstruction of giant ventral hernias using the anterolateral thigh free flap for skin coverage.

Abstract

Delayed abdominal wall reconstruction for extremely large ventral hernias can be exceedingly difficult if there is a concomitant skin deficiency. In the past decade, six such patients after restoration of the integrity of the musculofascial layer required vascularized tissues to accomplish closure of huge mid-abdominal defects using in all cases the anterolateral thigh free flap. As with all perforator flaps, this ensures function preservation of the intrinsic abdominal muscles to provide a reliable solution to a difficult challenge.