A free anterolateral thigh flap and iliotibial band for reconstruction of soft tissue defects at children's feet and ankles

Background and purposeHigh-energy injury to children caused by a traffic accident is usually characterised by extensive soft tissue defects with exposure or loss of tendons and bone at the foot. Segmental loss of the Achilles tendon along with soft tissue defects is a great challenge for microsurgical reconstruction. Free anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap is indicated for reconstruction of such defects because limited local tissues are available. Additionally, iliotibial band in the donor area can be used to reconstruct the damaged tendon.Materials and methodsHere we described our successful management of 25 paediatric patients with such high-energy injury at feet and ankles in one-stage transplantation of a free ALT flap and an iliotibial band from January 2008 to January 2013. The tendon defect, ranging from 3 to 16 cm in length, was reconstructed with an iliotibial band. The flaps ranged from 5 to 12 cm in width and 8 to 18 cm in length.ResultsAll the flaps survived completely and no donor site complications were observed. In two flaps there was a small area of distal necrosis which was healed by dressing changes. The mean follow-up time was 14.2 months (from 6 to 24 months). Limb function was assessed using the Maryland Foot Score. The excellent and good rate was 92%.ConclusionsWe believe a free ALT flap is ideal for reconstruction of massive soft tissue defects at the foot and ankle in children and an iliotibial band from the same donor site can be used for reconstruction of a damaged tendon.