Unusual Anterolateral Fascio Cutaneous Tight Flap for Extremity Soft Tissue Reconstruction ()
1. Introduction
Clear Cell Sarcoma (SCC) corresponds to less than 1% of sarcomas, being a rare and aggressive soft tissue sarcoma (STS). Also called Malignant Soft Part Tissue Melanoma, it causes diagnostic difficulties in relation to primary cutaneous melanoma and sometimes with more extensive cutaneous involvement in relation to other sarcomas [1].
Like all sarcomas, it tends to affect the extremities more and less frequently the trunk and head and neck [2] [3]. Soft tissue sarcomas depending on their size, degree and location can be treated with surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. The treatments also can be offered in a context before or after surgery, combined or not [2] [3].
The main therapeutic modality continues the surgery through programmed three-dimensional, compartmental, marginal resections, with or without vascular nerve reconstruction or skin grafts [2] [3]. Sarcomas with extensive cutaneous involvement require local reconstructions, with myocutaneous flaps, fascio cutaneous flaps, free grafts or microsurgical reconstructions [4].
2. Objective
To present a case of clear cell sarcoma operated after neoadjuvant chemotherapy treatment, in which a three-dimensional resection of the tumor was performed and reconstruction with an unusual fascio cutaneous thigh flap. The authors emphasize the importance of anatomy knowledge and the multidisciplinary approach in the soft tissue sarcoma management.
3. Case
STS female patient with the disease affecting the left medial compartment of the thigh. She was treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and subsequent medial compartment resection, extended to the skin. Considering that the patient presented to the service with a clear cell sarcoma, a subtype that is associated with the commitment of regional lymph node, a search for sentinel lymph node was made at the left side. With the resection of the adductor muscles and adjacent skin, by local injection, a reconstruction of the was made utilizing an anterior compartment fascio cutaneous flap based on reverse flux of the lateral superior genicular artery, after ligation of the descendent branch of lateral circumflex femoral artery (Figure 1).
Figure 1. Antero lateral tight flap for medical compartment defect.
4. Discussion
STS resections constantly result in cutaneous defects, implicating on more complex reconstructions for the wound closure, impairing the achievement of free surgical margins [5].
In the present case, due to the increased risk of lymphatic dissemination, in addition to resection of the lesion, the patient underwent sentinel lymph node research [6]. Due to the greater involvement of the skin, assessed through physical and complementary examination and the biological knowledge of the lesion that acts as a primary cutaneous melanoma, we opted for the use of an anterolateral thigh fascio cutaneous flap with irrigation based on the reverse flow of the superior genicular lateral artery after ligation of the descendent branch of circumflex lateral femoral artery [7].
The anterolateral thigh flaps are the most appropriated for reconstruction of thigh defects because they allow reconstruction at sites presenting important tissue loss, associated with a long vascular pedicle and ensuring more amplitude on the defect’s coverage. The pedicle can reach up to 16 cm, assuring the surgical team the ability to reconstruct large defects and free of tension. In this case, two teams can work simultaneously on the tumor resection and obtaining tissue for the adequate reconstruction [8] [9].
The fasciocutaneous flaps permits a proper local reconstruction, proportional and adjusted to the surgical defect generated, as well as enabling different orientations, to guarantee a precise positioning at the resection site 8. The selected reconstruction will depend on the clinical status of the patient, the multidisciplinary approach, and the ability of patient to perform the postoperative rehabilitation [8] [9].
Pan et al. [10] better describe the anterolateral thigh flap supply. This flap has been used more frequently for reconstruction of the knee, upper third of the leg and skin defects of medial face of tight. The flap has blood supply from cutaneous branches or musculocutaneous perforators with origin at lateral circumflex femoral system. The best size of the flap is 7.0 × 16.0 cm, avoiding major risk of necrosis. For the authors, the main advantages of this flap include a long pedicle length, enough tissue vascularization, the flap can be associated to the fascia lata muscle for tendon reconstruction and favorable donor-site selection, without sacrifice of major vessels or muscles [10].
There are a few articles in literature reporting the approach of STS surgical wound closure with local reconstruction or the employment of fascio cutaneos anterolateral tight flaps. This procedure, when achievable, must be done at the same time of the mean surgical procedure, considering that immediate reconstructions result in greater functional recovery, a low number of surgical procedures, a more rapid return to work activities, avoiding fibrosis, with possible local anatomic distortion and possible radiotherapy effect, when indicated as adjuvant treatment [11] [12]. The recurrence rate after a major sarcoma resection and reconstruction depends on tumor biology and surgical specimen margins, even though sarcomas tend to recur at other anatomic sites, as lung and liver and less frequently at local site.
Elswick et al. [4] have shown that in 159 thigh sarcoma patients that have been operated, the most frequently used form of reconstruction was the based on local or regional pediculated muscular flaps, as well as the fascio cutaneous flaps. In 4% of the cases, free microsurgical flaps were utilized.
The anterolateral tight flap must not be used when large resections are expected with skin defects superior to 16.0 cm and mainly when the amputation of the limb is considered as the principal surgical modality, in consequence of a large soft tissue loss and consequent functional impotence of the limb. In this situation free microsurgical flaps are more indicated [13].
The advantages for anterolateral tight flap are: 1) long pedicle, large caliber, and enough blood supply; 2) large size and range of arc rotation; 3) the thickness of the flap is thinner than that of the muscle cutaneous flap; and 4) small morbidity of the donor area [14]. Among the inconveniences described are the risk of venous congestion due to long retrograde flow and arterial impairment due to compression or kinking of the pedicle [14]. Aesthetic sequela of donor area also happens.
After the surgical procedure, the limb is kept extended and with reduced mobility. There must be daily assessment for the possibilities of infection, necrosis, hematoma and dehiscence.
5. Conclusion
The anterolateral fascio cutaneous flap of tight is a safe and excellent option for STS reconstruction of inferior extremity. The STS surgery must be done by a multidisciplinary approach looking for a free surgical margin and a satisfactory extremity motor function. If it is possible, all the reconstructions must be done at the same time of the mean procedure assuring that is done without fibrosis and less anatomic distortion.