Evaluation of the Use of free Anterolateral Thigh Flap in Lower Leg and Foot Defects in Pediatric Population

Abstract Background Trauma is one of the main mechanisms of complex wound formation affecting pediatric population. The goal of lower extremity reconstruction is the coverage of defects with open wounds of the leg and foot to give patients a healed wound and to let them resume their life while preventing amputation. Objective To clinically evaluate the reliability of free anterolateral thigh flap for reconstruction of distal leg and foot defects in pediatric patients. Patients and Methods This prospective study included 20 patients; 6 patients (30%) were female and 14 patients (70%) were males who had soft tissue defects in lower leg, ankle and foot which were reconstructed by free anterolateral thigh flap. Results the survival rate of the flap was 95% with the ability to cover defects size ranging from 12 × 5 cm to 15× 22 cm without any functional affection on the donor site. Regarding the donor site closure, 60% of the cases’ donor sites were directly closed while 40 % needed STSG. There were (100%) matching skin color between the skin of the flaps and the recipient site. 5 patients (25%) required flap debulking in secondary procedures and (75%) didn’t need debulking. Conclusion Anterolateral thigh flap is reliable option for reconstruction of massive soft tissue defects at the distal leg, ankle and foot in children. It provides good donor and recipient site functional and aesthetic outcomes with additional advantage of minimal donor site morbidity and a high level of patient satisfaction among pediatric population.