The vastus lateralis muscle flap: technique and applications.

The vastus lateralis muscle can provide a broad sheet of muscle for repair of defects of the lower abdomen, groin, perineum, hip, and ischium. The authors limit the use of the vastus lateralis muscle to situations in which more traditional techniques are not feasible. This muscle is especially suitable for defects involving irradiated tissue, infected bone, or infected prosthetic material. Although the vastus lateralis muscle has no cutaneous component, it may be used to augment an overlying tensor fascia lata flap.