Abstract
The suitability of the thigh as a donor site for a new free flap was examined in 100 cadavers. It was found that the vastus lateralis muscle can be used to form a myocuta-neous or fasciomuscular flap, the raising of which causes no technical problems and leads to no functional and only minor aesthetic impairments. Depending on the muscle segment from which the flap is raised, a neurovascular pedicle measuring between 8 and 20 cm with a diameter of 2 to 2.5 mm (artery) or 2.5 to 4 mm (vein) can be formed. The skin island in the myocutaneous flap measures on average 8 × 16 cm and is located above the middle portion of the muscle. The diameter of the supplying perforator vessel is between 0.7 and 1.2 mm. The flap can be raised parallel to head and neck surgery and applied as a myocutaneous flap for coverage of extensive or perforating defects or intraorally as a fasciomuscular flap.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 469-475 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery |
| Volume | 89 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Mar 1992 |
| Externally published | Yes |