Anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous island flaps in perineoscrotal reconstruction

This study presents the authors' experience using the anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous flap for complex perineal and scrotal reconstruction. Anterolateral thigh fasciocutaneous island flaps were performed in seven patients between January and June of 2000 (six male, one female; mean age, 52 years; age range, 9 to 72 years). Four of the seven patients had scrotal or perineal defects after multiple debridements for Fournier's gangrene. Two of these four had exposed testicles. Three flaps were used for recurrent ischial ulcers. A true septocutaneous perforator (type 1) running between the rectus femoris and the vastus lateralis muscles was found in only two patients. In four patients, the cutaneous perforators were found to be intramuscular, originating from the descending branch (type 2). In the other patient, the musculocutaneous perforator originated from the lateral circumflex femoris artery independently (type 3). In these cases, intramuscular dissections were performed to follow each perforator to its main trunk. Mean follow-up was 8 months (range, 5 to 10 months), and all flaps survived. Three patients developed minor wound dehiscence in the posterior aspect of the perineal wound because of fecal contamination and skin maceration. Both wounds healed secondarily. Scrotal reconstruction with the anterolateral thigh flap gave an excellent aesthetic result. The authors conclude that the anterolateral thigh flap is a reliable flap for perineoscrotal reconstruction.