Split anterolateral thigh free flaps for bilateral open fracture ankle defects: A one donor, two flap solution

TL;DR

This paper presents a new surgical technique using a single donor site to reconstruct both sides of an ankle injury.

Contribution

The novel use of a single donor site to create two split anterolateral thigh flaps for bilateral ankle reconstruction is introduced.

Findings

A single donor site was successfully used to harvest split anterolateral thigh flaps with independent pedicles.

The method effectively reconstructed both medial and lateral ankle defects simultaneously.

This approach offers a more efficient solution for complex bilateral ankle soft tissue defects.

Abstract

Soft tissue reconstruction in bilateral ankle defects associated with lower limb trauma is complex and challenging. There is limited application of split free anterolateral (ALT) thigh flaps in lower limb reconstruction. This case report highlights a novel and efficient method that utilised a single donor site for the harvest of split ALT, with independent pedicles, to reconstruct bilateral simultaneous medial and lateral ankle defects.

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