[Clinical study on correction of hemifacial atrophy with free anterolateral thigh adipofascial flap].

Objective: To investigate the effect of free anterolateral thigh adipofascial flap in correcting the hemifacial atrophy.

Methods: From January 1997 to May 2006, 35 patients suffering from hemifacial atrophy were corrected with microvascular anastomotic free anterolateral thigh adipofascial flap and other additional measures according to the symptoms of the deformities. There were 11 males and 24 females, aging 15-47 years. The locations were left in 12 cases and right in 23 cases. The course of disease was 4 to 28 years. Their hemifacial deformities were fairly severity. Their cheeks were depressed obviously. The X-ray films and three-dimensinal CT showed the 28 patients' skeletons were dysplasia. The size of adipofascial flap ranged from 8 cm x 7 cm to 20 cm x 11 cm. Donor sites were sutured directly.

Results: Recipient site wound of all patients healed by first intention. All adipofascial flaps survived. The donor sites healed well and no adiponecrosis occurred. Thirty-five cases were followed up for 6 months to 8 years. The faces of all patients were symmetry, and the satisfactory results were obtained. There were no donor site dysfunction.

Conclusion: The anterolateral thigh adipofascial flap provides adequate tissue, easy-to-survive, no important artery sacrificed and the donor scar is more easily hidden. Combining with other auxiliary methods, it can be successfully used to correct the deformity of hemifacial atrophy.