A perforator is a vessel that travels through muscle and perfuses the skin. Perforator flaps require intramuscular dissection and can be used as pedicled or free flap. With improved understanding of microvasculature, they can be tailored to have multiple skin paddles, multiple components, or shaped to conform to any defect. Reliable perforator flap-based reconstruction is a meticulous microvascular technique, ultimately allowing the surgeon to harvest any flap in a freestyle fashion and transplant to any recipient vessel. New technologies improve the safety and reproducibility of this type of reconstruction.

Tessier number 10 cleft is one of the rarest facial clefts. Surgical treatment of this type of cleft is challenging due to the complexity of periorbital and temporal soft tissue deformities. A 23-year-old male patient presented with typical facial deformities of Tessier number 10 cleft. The surgical procedure involved using a free anterolateral thigh flap to reconstruct the eye socket, while the superficial temporal artery pedicle scalp flap was used to reconstruct the eyebrow deformity. The patient had no complications and 16 months after surgery, the patient had good aesthetic results. A hair-bearing scalp flap with a pedicle of the frontal branch of the superficial temporal artery combined with an anterolateral thigh-free flap can effectively resolve most soft tissue deformities of Tessier number 10 cleft and reconstruct the orbital socket in a single surgery. At the same time, it augments the soft tissue of the frontotemporal area and provides good aesthetic results.

Background  Anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap is the most common soft tissue flap used for microvascular reconstruction of head and neck. Its harvest is associated with some unpredictability due to variability in perforator characteristics, injury or unfavorable configuration for complex defects. Anteromedial thigh (AMT) flap is an option, but the low incidence and thickness restrict its utility. Tensor fascia lata (TFL) perforator (TFLP) flap is an excellent option to complement ALT. Its perforator is consistent, robust, in vicinity, and lends itself with the ALT perforator. Methods  This study was an analysis of 29 cases with a free flap for head neck reconstruction with an element of TFLP flap from July 2017 to May 2021. Results  All cases were primarily planned for an ALT reconstruction. There was absence of the ALT perforator in 16 cases but a sizable TFL perforator was available. In 13 cases, the complex defect warranted use of both ALT plus TFL in a conjoint (5), chimeric (5), and multiple (3) free flaps manner. Most common perforator location was septocutaneous between the TFL and gluteus medius. There was complete flap loss in two cases and partial necrosis in two. No adjuvant therapy was delayed. Conclusion  TFLP can reliably complement the ALT/AMT axis. Chimeric ALT-TFL can be harvested for large, complex, multicomponent, and multidimensional defects.

UNASSIGNED: Coverage of soft tissue defects following surgery at the trochanteric area is challenging. Revision surgery in case of compromised wound healing may lead to soft tissue defects requiring reconstruction with pedicled or free flaps. Previous access to the hip joint may jeopardize neurovascular structures relevant to the flap.
UNASSIGNED: In this study, we evaluated if the use of a pedicled anterior lateral thigh (ALT) flap is a valuable option for soft tissue reconstruction.
UNASSIGNED: In this retrospective study, seven patients were included. Defect etiology was tumor resection in one case, screw osteosynthesis in another case and total hip arthroplasty in three cases. All patients underwent reconstruction by proximal pedicled anterior lateral thigh (ALT) flap.
UNASSIGNED: Pedicled ALT flap was a safe procedure in all cases. One patient showed delayed wound healing with need for additional surgery. No further complications were observed.
UNASSIGNED: Pedicled ALT flap transfer represents a reliable option for soft tissue coverage in the trochanteric area after primary surgery such as hip arthroplasty, osteosynthesis or tumor resection.

Complex scalp defects involving soft and hard tissues pose challenges for plastic surgeons. The solution for each defect must depend on various factors and even the technical development of the infrastructure. We present a case study in which the patient had a significant total frontal defect. The first surgery was a bi-parietal flap as a salvage option to cover the defect. However, aesthetic satisfaction was not achieved. The second surgery used the anterolateral thigh flap to enhance the aesthetic result, and the placement of titanium mesh was an appropriate choice. This case may be an example of how different solutions can lead to variable results and what needs to be considered when dealing with complex scalp defects.

The present study aimed to investigate outcomes following open surgery for extensive skull base ORN. Open surgery through a personalized sequential approach was employed to deal with five cases of extensive skull base ORN. Two patients with mild cases underwent regional debridement and sequestrectomy, and three patients with severe cases underwent extensive resection with reconstruction using free anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap. Biological glues and vascularized flaps were used for obturation of the skull base bony defect to prevent postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage. The infections were controlled by antibiotic administrations which strictly followed the principles of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS). As results, both regional debridement plus sequestrectomy and extensive resection achieved satisfied outcomes in all patients. No severe complications and delayed hospitalization occurred. During the follow-up period (8-19 months), all patients were alive, pain free, without crusting or purulent discharge, and no sequestration or CSF leakage occurred. In conclusion, a personalized sequential approach including open surgery, pedicled/vascularized free flap reconstruction and AMS was advocated for patients with extensive skull base ORN.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of mandibular defects caused by combat injuries is challenging for clinicians due to soft tissue defects and high complication risk. This study evaluated the outcomes of mandibular continuous defects reconstruction with non-vascularized iliac crest graft (NVICG) in patients with combat injuries.
METHODS: Patients with continuous mandibular defects acquired by high-velocity agents, who received NVICG reconstruction with or without microvascular-free soft tissue or regional flaps, were included in the study. The outcome variable was graft loss due to postoperative complications or full (more than 90 %) resorption. The primary predictor variable was soft tissue defect in the recipient area. The secondary predictor variable was the length of the defect. Variables related to patients, defect site, surgery, and other complications were also evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed with the usage of independent sample t-test, Pearson\'s chi-squared and Fisher\'s exact tests with a significance level of P < 0.05 RESULTS: The study included 24 patients with 27 mandibular defects. Overall, the general success rate of reconstructions was 59.3 %. Soft tissue defects were significantly associated with graft failure and other complications (p < 0.05), which were mostly related to soft tissue defects. The graft success rate was only 14.3 % even in minor soft tissue defects. In turn, in reconstructions with sufficient soft tissue coverage, the graft survived in 75.0 % of the cases. In addition, patients with more delayed reconstruction had significantly fewer graft failures than those with earlier surgery (p < 0.05). No associations were found between defect size and complications.
CONCLUSIONS: The sufficient soft tissue coverage is essential in the reconstruction of mandibular defects caused by combat injuries. Also, minor soft tissue defects should be covered with soft tissue flaps to avoid complications and graft loss in these specific injuries. Even large defects can be reconstructed with NIVICG if the soft tissue coverage is sufficient.

BACKGROUND: Persistent complex defects and dysfunctions of the upper aerodigestive tract after tumor surgery represent a major challenge. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an interdisciplinary approach using the free anterolateral thigh flap (ALT) as a reconstruction option in the upper aerodigestive tract.
METHODS: The retrospective study identified 5 patients with complex defects after laryngectomy/pharyngolaryngectomy (LE/PLE) and multiple revision surgeries between 2017 and 2023. The operations were performed by an interdisciplinary team from otolaryngology, plastic surgery, and visceral/thoracic surgery. The results of the microsurgical reconstruction were analyzed.
RESULTS: There was an average of six previous operations. The defects included tracheoesophageal fistulas, pharyngocutaneous fistulas, neopharyngeal stenosis, and combinations thereof. Successful reconstruction was achieved in 100% of patients using the ALT flap. In 2 patients, ALT flow-through flaps were used with an additional free jejunal interposition (JI) and in 3 patients split-ALT flaps were used. The major complication rate was 40% and the minor complication rate was 20%.
CONCLUSIONS: Complex defects of the upper aerodigestive tract with multiple previous operations can be successfully reconstructed. Because of its versatility, the ALT flap seems to be a very good option. Prerequisite for this is an interdisciplinary treatment approach with a critical assessment of patient- and disease-specific factors.
UNASSIGNED: HINTERGRUND: Persistierende komplexe Defekte und Funktionsstörungen des oberen Aerodigestivtrakts nach tumorchirurgischen Eingriffen stellen eine große Herausforderung dar. Ziel dieser Studie war es, die Wirksamkeit eines interdisziplinären Ansatzes mit der freien lateralen Oberschenkellappenplastik (ALT) als Rekonstruktionsoption im oberen Aerodigestivtrakt zu evaluieren.
METHODS: Die retrospektive Studie identifizierte zwischen 2017 und 2023 5 Patient*innen mit komplexen Defekten nach Laryngektomie (LE) und multiplen Revisionsoperationen. Die Operationen erfolgten durch ein interdisziplinäres Team aus HNO, Plastischer Chirurgie und Viszeral‑/Thoraxchirurgie. Die Ergebnisse der mikrochirurgischen Rekonstruktion wurden erfasst.
UNASSIGNED: Es lagen durchschnittlich 6 Voroperationen vor. Die Defekte umfassten tracheoösophageale Fisteln, pharyngokutane Fisteln, Neopharynxstenosen sowie deren Kombination. Eine erfolgreiche Rekonstruktion konnte in 100 % der Fälle durch den ALT-Lappen erreicht werden. In zwei Fällen wurden ALT-Durchflusslappen mit einem zusätzlichen Jejunuminterponat (JI) und in drei Fällen ein Split-ALT-Lappen durchgeführt. Die Major-Komplikationsrate lag bei 40 % und die Minor-Komplikationsrate bei 20 %.
UNASSIGNED: Komplexe Defekte des oberen Aerodigestivtrakts mit multiplen Voroperationen können erfolgreich rekonstruiert werden. Aufgrund seiner Vielseitigkeit scheint der ALT-Lappen eine sehr gute Option zu sein. Voraussetzung hierfür ist ein interdisziplinärer Behandlungsansatz mit einer kritischen Abwägung der patienten- und krankheitsspezifischen Faktoren.

UNASSIGNED: Soft-tissue defects of the lower abdomen, perineum, groin, and trochanteric area often involve the loss of composite tissue components and are technically challenging to reconstruct. The goals of reconstruction should include the replacement of the defect with a suitable soft-tissue flap that provides stable coverage while protecting important exposed structures. However, there are limited locations in this region for the creation of pedicled flaps for complex defect reconstruction. The pedicled anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap is considered superior to other comparable flaps due to its varying soft-tissue components and long pedicle with consistent anatomy that allow the reconstruction of locations that are difficult to reach without significant flap donor site morbidity. Herein, we present a case series of our experience of using a pedicled ALT flap to reconstruct regional defects over a range of locations.
UNASSIGNED: The present study comprised ten patients who underwent surgical reconstruction of soft-tissue defects of the lower abdomen, groin, trochanteric, scrotal, and penoscrotal defects using a pedicled ALT flap over a two-year period. The flap was customized according to the defect when required.
UNASSIGNED: In our case series, flap loss was not observed with only a few minor complications. All patients accepted the aesthetic appearance of the flap recipient site area without requesting revision surgery. The donor site was closed primarily in half of all cases, with split skin grafting applied in the remaining patients. Graft take at the flap donor site was satisfactory in all cases.
UNASSIGNED: A pedicled ALT flap is a reliable and suitable option for complex soft-tissue reconstruction for regional soft-tissue defects of the lower abdomen and perineum.
UNASSIGNED: Weichteildefekte des Unterbauchs, des Dammes, der Leiste und des Trochanterbereichs gehen häufig mit dem Verlust von Verbundgewebekomponenten einher und sind technisch schwierig zu rekonstruieren. Zu den Zielen der Rekonstruktion sollte der Ersatz des Defekts durch einen geeigneten Weichgewebelappen gehören, der eine stabile Deckung bietet und gleichzeitig wichtige freiliegende Strukturen schützt. In dieser Region gibt es jedoch nur wenige Stellen, an denen gestielte Lappen für die Rekonstruktion komplexer Defekte angelegt werden können. Der gestielte anterolaterale Oberschenkellappen (ALT) gilt aufgrund seiner unterschiedlichen Weichteilkomponenten und seines langen Stiels mit konsistenter Anatomie als anderen vergleichbaren Lappen überlegen und ermöglicht die Rekonstruktion von schwer zugänglichen Stellen ohne signifikante Morbidität der Lappenspenderstelle. Wir stellen hier eine Fallserie unserer Erfahrungen mit der Verwendung eines gestielten ALT-Lappens zur Rekonstruktion regionaler Defekte an verschiedenen Stellen vor.
UNASSIGNED: Die vorliegende Studie umfasste zehn Patienten, die sich über einen Zeitraum von zwei Jahren einer chirurgischen Rekonstruktion von Weichteildefekten des Unterbauches, der Leiste, des Trochanter, des Skrotums und des Penoskrotums mit einem gestielten ALT-Lappen unterzogen. Der Lappen wurde bei Bedarf an den jeweiligen Defekt angepasst.
UNASSIGNED: In unserer Fallserie wurde kein Lappenverlust beobachtet und es traten nur wenige kleinere Komplikationen auf. Alle Patienten akzeptierten das ästhetische Erscheinungsbild der Empfängerregion des Lappens, ohne eine Revisionsoperation zu verlangen. In der Hälfte aller Fälle wurde die Entnahmestelle primär verschlossen; bei den übrigen Patienten wurde eine Spalthauttransplantation durchgeführt. Die Transplantataufnahme an der Lappenentnahmestelle war in allen Fällen zufriedenstellend.
UNASSIGNED: Ein gestielter ALT-Lappen ist eine zuverlässige und geeignete Option für komplexe Weichteilrekonstruktionen bei regionalen Weichteildefekten des Unterbauches und des Perineums.

Reconstruction after wide resection of a sarcoma arising in the shoulder girdle is challenging, and little evidence is available to compare short-term outcomes between pedicled-flap and free-flap reconstruction.
Thirty-eight patients undergoing immediate reconstruction surgery with only a pedicled-flap (n = 18) and with a free-flap (n = 20) after sarcoma resection on the shoulder girdle between July 2005 and March 2022 were identified. One-to-one propensity score matching was performed to compare the postoperative complications.
Transferred flaps survived completely in 20 cases in the free-flap group. In the all-patient analysis of binary outcomes, the occurrences of total complications, takebacks, total flap complications, and flap dehiscence were higher in the pedicled-flap group than in the free-flap group. The propensity score-matched analysis showed the occurrence of total complications was significantly higher in the pedicled-flap group than the free-flap group (53.8% vs. 7.7%, p = 0.03). In the propensity score-matched analysis of continuous outcomes, the pedicled-flap group demonstrated a shorter operation time than the free-flap group (279 vs. 381 min, p = 0.05).
This clinical study demonstrated the feasibility and reliability of a free-flap transfer for the defect after wide resection of a sarcoma arising in the shoulder girdle.