Anterolateral Thigh Free Flap

The anterolateral thigh free flap is capable of reconstructing small or large soft tissue defects of the head and neck, has a large caliber and long vascular pedicle, and produces minimal donor-site morbidity after harvest. The donor site can be closed primarily in most cases. It is based primarily on musculocutaneous branches of the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery and can contribute different tissue components, including muscle, fascia, and/or skin depending on what is needed at the recipient site. Due to these advantages, it has become a workhorse of head and neck reconstruction.