Retrospective Cohort Study Evaluating the Anterolateral Tight Free Flap Donor Site Morbidity

Ana Trapero, Alberto Pérez-García*, Belen Andresen-Lorca and Alessandro Thione

Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital, Spain

^*Correspondance to: Alberto Pérez-García 

 PDF  Full Text DOI: 10.25107/2474-1647.3475

Abstract

Functional outcomes and patient satisfaction related to the donor site of free flaps are increasingly playing a decisive role in flap selection. One of the main advantages of ALT flap is its minimal donor site morbidity. The aim of this study is to analyze healing evolution related to the donor site of ALT flaps depending on the closure technique: Direct closure versus skin grafting. 65 patients were totally included. They were categorized into two cohorts depending on the type of donor site closure technique performed. No statistically significant differences were found between the two cohorts regarding age at surgery, sex and risk factors for wound healing (smoking habit, obesity, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease). Complete donor site wound healing time was 22.41 days (± 9.94) in the primary closure group (51 patients) whereas in the skin grafting group it was 54.57 days (14 patients). Statistically significant differences were found (p<0.05). When skin grafting is needed to close ALT donor site, wound related morbidity increases considerably. In those cases, we propose technical alternatives to achieve direct closure and therefore, sparing wound healing time, enhancing cosmetic results and donor site functional outcomes.

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Cite the article

Trapero A, Pérez-García A, Andresen- Lorca B, Thione A. Retrospective Cohort Study Evaluating the Anterolateral Tight Free Flap Donor Site Morbidity. Clin Surg. 2022; 7: 3475..