[The tensor fascia lata racket shape myocutaneous island flap].

OBJECTIVE

To provide a racket shape tensor fascia lata myocutaneous island flap according to the anatomical form and blood supply of the tensor fascia lata.

METHODS

Four tensor fascia lata racket shape myocutaneous island flaps were used in four patients clinically. All 4 flaps were for repairing abdominal defect.

RESULTS

Three of the four flaps survived without complication. In one of the four flaps, skin necrosis at the distal tip was noted and needed additional skin graft.

CONCLUSIONS

The tensor fascia lata racket shape myocutaneous island flap is a convenient island flap. The island flap designed like racket shape has two benefits than the conventional rectangular island flap: 1. The narrow proximal part of the flap is like a extended pedicle, which makes the broad distal part of the flap can easily be transposed to the recipient site. 2. The donor defect of the narrow proximal part can be closed directly, which lessens the size of skin graft for the donor defect. The cause of skin necrosis at the distal tip of one flap is mainly due to that the length of the flap exceeds the distal end of the middle one third of the lateral thigh.