Video-assisted harvesting of anterolateral thigh free flap: technique validation and initial results. 2013

Mauricio Alejandro Moreno
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USA. mamoreno@uams.edu

OBJECTIVE To provide a description of a minimally invasive, video-assisted technique (VAT) to identify the cutaneous perforators of the anterolateral thigh (ALT). The objective of the study was to compare this technique with standard open exploration of the thigh and to describe the learning curve for the procedure. METHODS Case series with chart review. METHODS Academic tertiary institution. METHODS Twenty-six cases operated between December 2009 and June 2012. In all of these cases, an open thigh exploration, considered the gold standard, was performed immediately after the VAT. Data retrieved included surgical findings, demographics, and outcomes. RESULTS There were 17 men and 9 women with a mean age of 60 years. The average flap size was 91 cm(2) (range, 39-264 cm(2)), and a chimeric double skin paddle flap was harvested in 6 cases. Forty-nine of 53 total perforators were successfully identified endoscopically. Findings on endoscopic and open exploration were highly correlated (r = 0.92, P = .000). The overall sensitivity for the technique was 92.4% (confidence interval, 80.9-97.5) but reached 100% for perforators located at the midpoint of the anterior-superior iliac spine-patella line. All flaps survived, and there were no technique-related complications. The learning curve plateaued after 15 cases, with a mean endoscopic operative time of 18.2 minutes for the last 10 procedures. CONCLUSIONS This VAT is a safe and reliable method to identify cutaneous perforators of the lateral thigh. The procedure is straightforward and has a moderate learning curve. This approach has a role in minimizing donor site morbidity and assisting in flap design.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D004724 Endoscopy Procedures of applying ENDOSCOPES for disease diagnosis and treatment. Endoscopy involves passing an optical instrument through a small incision in the skin i.e., percutaneous; or through a natural orifice and along natural body pathways such as the digestive tract; and/or through an incision in the wall of a tubular structure or organ, i.e. transluminal, to examine or perform surgery on the interior parts of the body. Endoscopic Surgical Procedures,Surgical Procedures, Endoscopic,Endoscopic Surgical Procedure,Endoscopy, Surgical,Surgical Endoscopy,Surgical Procedure, Endoscopic,Procedure, Endoscopic Surgical,Procedures, Endoscopic Surgical
D004867 Equipment Design Methods and patterns of fabricating machines and related hardware. Design, Equipment,Device Design,Medical Device Design,Design, Medical Device,Designs, Medical Device,Device Design, Medical,Device Designs, Medical,Medical Device Designs,Design, Device,Designs, Device,Designs, Equipment,Device Designs,Equipment Designs
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000368 Aged A person 65 years of age or older. For a person older than 79 years, AGED, 80 AND OVER is available. Elderly
D000369 Aged, 80 and over Persons 80 years of age and older. Oldest Old
D012189 Retrospective Studies Studies used to test etiologic hypotheses in which inferences about an exposure to putative causal factors are derived from data relating to characteristics of persons under study or to events or experiences in their past. The essential feature is that some of the persons under study have the disease or outcome of interest and their characteristics are compared with those of unaffected persons. Retrospective Study,Studies, Retrospective,Study, Retrospective

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