Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgery
A new phalloplasty technique: the free anterolateral thigh flap phalloplasty
Section snippets
Materials and methods
Seven patients (six free ALT flaps) have been included in this study. Follow up ranges from 2 to 14 months (mean: 5 months). All patients were female to male transsexuals and their age at time of surgery ranged from 27 to 33. Five of them were heavy smokers (more than 20 cigarettes/day). Three of them presented a Pfannestiel suprapubic scar due to previous caesarean delivery (one case) and for previous hystero-oophorecomy (two cases). In one case the flap was not elevated because perforator
Results
In our series all the flaps (six cases) were harvested with a single perforator pedicle; in one case septocutaneous pedicle was found. The flap dimensions in different patients ranged from 10×12 to 11×14 cm2. In all six cases, the flap was raised without fascia. Only in two cases a partial defatting of the flap was performed. In one case the thigh lateral cutaneous nerve was not found.
In the seventh patient, the flap was not elevated because perforator vessels were not suitable; in this case,
Discussion
In the last 10 years, the ALT flap has become one of the most chosen options for soft tissue reconstruction because of its versatility, its adaptability to many different losses of substance in different regions and for the very low donor site morbidity. The free ALT flap can be used as an alternative to the free radial forearm flap in almost all clinical situations requiring soft tissue reconstruction. It is provided with a suitable vascular pedicle, it is sensate and can be elevated without
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