Reconstructing abdominal wall defects with a free composite tissue flap: A case report

Core Tip

Core Tip: The reconstruction of large full-thickness abdominal wall defects is still a challenging task clinically, and it is even more difficult if intestinal damage is combined. Before the intestinal wound healing, it is a great innovation to protect the intestinal tube with heterogeneous acellular dermal matrix and to drain the fluid with vacuum sealing drainage externally, thus avoiding the occurrence of serious infection. Autogenous compound tissue flap is a good choice to reconstruct the abdominal wall defect, restore the integrity of the abdominal wall, maintain the tension of the abdominal wall muscle, and prevent the occurrence of abdominal wall hernia. In this case, an anterolateral thigh flap with tensor fascia lata was used to reconstruct the abdominal wall defect, with good functional and aesthetic results.