Premium
Optimizing functional upper extremity reconstruction—Simultaneous free anterolateral thigh flap and tendon transfers—A case report
Author(s) -
Sorice Sarah C.,
Press Barry,
Momeni Arash
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
microsurgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.031
H-Index - 63
eISSN - 1098-2752
pISSN - 0738-1085
DOI - 10.1002/micr.30096
Subject(s) - medicine , tendon , surgery , microsurgery , soft tissue , reconstructive surgeon , free flap , thigh , tendon transfer , range of motion , forearm , upper limb
Composite upper extremity defects involving muscle–tendon units are amongst the most formidable reconstructive challenges and mandate functional restoration in addition to stable soft‐tissue coverage. Here, the authors present a case of a composite defect involving the extensor muscle–tendon units of the forearm resulting from surgical resection of a recurrent Merkel cell cancer. Functional restoration was achieved via multiple tendon transfers followed by soft tissue coverage with a free anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap. No donor‐ or recipient‐site complications were encountered and complete flap survival was noted. Following a 6‐week period of immobilization, physical therapy and range of motion exercises were initiated. Excellent functional outcome and high patient satisfaction were noted at 8 weeks postoperatively. In summary, simultaneous tendon transfers and microsurgical tissue transfer may provide a potentially superior approach for upper extremity reconstruction in complex composite defects. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 37:71–74, 2017.