Anterolateral thigh flap

The anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap is a versatile soft tissue flap. It can be harvested as a fasciocutaneous or myocutaneous flap. Vascularized fascia can be included or the pedicle may be harvested as a flow-through flap. The flap can also be harvested incorporating multiple skin islands or as a chimeric flap incorporating separate skin and muscle components. When a large flap is needed, the entire lateral thigh can be harvested by combining the ALT with either the tensor fascia lata or the anteromedial thigh flap as a conjoined flap. Morbidity is remarkably minimal despite the availability of such generous amounts of tissue. The purported difficulty with the use of this flap is because of the anatomical variations that may render this flap unreliable. This paper clarifies the vascular anatomy of the flap and elaborates an approach to flap harvest that can be used to reliably harvest the flap in spite of the anomalies that may be encountered.