Vascularized Femoral Nerve Graft with Anterolateral Thigh True Perforator Flap for Massive Defects after Cancer Ablation in the Upper Arm

Abstract

Massive resection of soft-tissue sarcoma in the elbow region often results in loss of long segments of the brachial artery and median nerve, as well as a wide soft-tissue defect. With conventional nerve grafts and revascularization of the arm, forearm and hand function is poor because nerves cannot be regenerated over the long nerve gap in the high elbow region. The authors used a long vascularized nerve graft and found it effective for reconstruction of upper arm function. This paper describes the first application of a free vascularized femoral nerve graft and a free anterolateral thigh true perforator flap based on the lateral circumflex femoral system, to repair elbow and forearm function. Long vascularized femoral nerve grafts of over 12 cm can be obtained, and an anterolateral thigh flap can be harvested from the same donor area.