Effect of Superthin Anterolateral Thigh Perforator Flap Repair for Large Soft-Tissue Defects of the Lower Extremity
ZHANG Renquan
LI Chuanbo
ZHOU Yuandong
Abstract：Objective To evaluate the clinical effect of superthin anterolateral thigh perforator(ALTP)flap repair for large soft-tissue defects of the lower extremity.Methods From March 2020 to March 2022,96 patients with large soft-tissue defects of the lower extremity treated at the Banan Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were enrolled.Patients were randomized by a random number table into a control group(n=48)and an observation group(n=48).The control group underwent repair with a deep inferior epigastric artery perforator(DIEP)flap,while the observation group received superthin ALTP flap repair.Operative parameters,the flap repair''excellent''rate at 4 weeks,sensory function of the grafted flap area at 3 months,complication rates,and aesthetic satisfaction of the recipient site at 1 month were compared between groups.Results There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in duration of antibiotic use,time to flap stabilization,length of hospital stay,or wound healing time(P>0.05).At 4 weeks postoperatively,the excellent repair rate was 93.75%in the observation group versus 91.67%in the control group(P>0.05).At 3 months,sensory function in the grafted flap area was significantly better in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).The overall complication rate was 8.33%in the observation group and 12.50%in the control group,with no significant difference(P>0.05).At 1 month,aesthetic satisfaction of the recipient site was higher in the observation group(95.83%)than in the control group(81.25%)(P<0.05).Conclusion Compared with DIEP flap repair,superthin ALTP flap repair more effectively facilitates sensory recovery and yields higher aesthetic satisfaction for patients with large soft-tissue defects of the lower extremity.
Keywords：large soft-tissue defects of the lower extremityrepair surgeryperforator flapsuperthin anterolateral thigh perforator flapsensory function
Publication Date：2026-02-10
Online Publishing Date：2026-03-17(First online date of this platform, not the publication date of the document)
Pages：6( 18-23 )