Anterolateral thigh free flap surgery for medial malleoli fracture with extensive dorsal foot skin defect: A case report

Severe foot deformities, especially those affecting the dorsum of the foot, can make it difficult to perform daily activities. For example, mild pain when walking can be felt on the dorsal aspect of the foot, and toe contractures can make it difficult to wear non supportive shoes. Reconstructive surgeons face a great deal of difficulty in providing a suitable flap in accordance with the "like for like" reconstructive principle. The best outcomes for reconstructing small- to medium-sized dorsal foot lesions have been reported using local flaps and pedicled flaps. Reconstruction of large dorsal foot deformities is, however, hardly studied. In this work, we report our experience reconstructing large dorsal foot lesions using the free anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap.