Modified anterolateral thigh perforator flap pedicled by cross-bridge microvascular anastomosis for repairing soft tissue defects in middle and lower segments of leg

To explore the effectiveness of modified anterolateral thigh perforator flap pedicled by cross-bridge microvascular anastomosis in treatment of soft tissue defects in the middle and lower segments of the leg. Between March 2011 and June 2015, 15 cases with skin and soft tissue defects in the middle and lower segments of the legs were treated. There were 9 males and 6 females, aged 22-48 years (mean, 32.6 years). Of whom, 8 patients caused by traffic accidents, 5 by machine twist, and 2 by crash injury of heavy object. The mean interval from injury to admission was 82.6 hours (range, 2 hours to 1 week). The area of defect ranged from 13 cm×9 cm to 23 cm×16 cm. After primary debridement and vaccum sealing drainage treatment, the defects were repaired with modified anterolateral thigh perforator flap pedicled by cross-bridge microvascular anastomosis. The size of flap ranged from 15 cm×10 cm to 25 cm×15 cm. The donor sites were sutured directly or repaired with the skin grafts. The pedicle division was done at 4