Discussion: The anterolateral thigh flap for groin and lower abdominal defects: A better alternative to the rectus abdominis flap

摘要

I n the article "The Anterolateral Thigh Flap for Groin and Lower Abdominal Defects: A Better Alternative to the Rectus Abdominis Flap," LoGiudice et al. compare their experience with the pedicled anterolateral thigh flap to the pedicled rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap for reconstruction of wounds in the region of the groin. In their series of 30 anterolateral thigh and 10 rectus abdominis flaps, they found that the early postoperative complication rate was equivalent but that the rate of delayed postoperative complications was significantly higher in the rectus abdominis group. Notably, five of 10 patients developed a hernia at the rectus abdominis donor site because of the opening left in the fascia for the deep inferior epigastric vascular pedicle to pass through.