Use of the extended-pedicle vastus lateralis free flap for lower extremity reconstruction

Soft-tissue coverage in the lower extremity usually requires a flap with a long pedicle, low donor-site morbidity, and versatility in terms of shape and volume. The extended-pedicle free vastus lateralis muscle flap has previously been described for head and neck cancer, and it fulfills these requirements.

Twelve patients with lower extremity defects underwent reconstruction with an ipsilateral free vastus lateralis muscle flap. The flap included a segment of the distalmost part of the muscle, distal to the entry point of the motor nerve to the vastus lateralis, based on the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex vessels. Up to 20 cm of vascular pedicle with a large caliber was obtained. In three cases, a combined distal vastus lateralis and anterolateral thigh flap was used as a chimeric flap.

All flaps were successful. Infection developed in two cases and required flap reelevation and new wound debridement. There was no substantial subjective donor-site morbidity.

Elevation of the flap can be performed with the patient in the supine position and is extremely fast and straightforward, without the added difficulty of anatomical variation or extensive intramuscular vascular dissection. The pedicle is long and of large caliber. Although the series is short, the authors conclude that this is a useful free flap for lower extremity reconstruction.