Reconstruction of Lower Limb Necrotizing Fasciitis by Hydrosurgical Debridement and Multiperforator Anterolateral Thigh Flap

Abstract

Summary: The authors describe a surgical treatment that optimally combined the use of the hydrosurgical system and a free multiperforator anterolateral thigh flap to prevent lower limb amputation in a severe case of necrotizing fasciitis. A 43-year-old woman was diagnosed with necrotizing fasciitis, and amputation was performed at the level of the metatarsal shafts with an emergency debridement using the hydrosurgical system. In the second reconstructive surgery, a free anterolateral thigh flap measuring 28 × 8 cm2 was harvested using the left thigh as the donor site and the vascular pedicle was made up of a total of 3 vessels, 2 perforating arteries from the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery, and 1 oblique branch from the lateral circumflex femoral artery. To thin the flap, we first resected as much subcutaneous fat as possible in the distal part of the flap (which would eventually cover the ankle joint) and ensured adequate residual volume of the proximal part of the flap (which would cover the metatarsal stumps). We then sutured the flap to the tissue defect on the left foot and then end-to-side anastomosing the lateral femoral circumflex artery and posterior tibial artery while the 2 veins were anastomosed to the posterior tibial veins under a microscope. Six months after the surgery, adequate flap volume was maintained over the metatarsal stumps with no postoperative complications such as infection or ulcer formation, and there were no other complications such as motor dysfunction at the donor site on the left thigh.