To explore the clinical application and effect of induced membrane technique com- bined with anteriolateral thigh (ALT) flap transfer for repair of complex tissue defect of the lower extremity.

From June, 2011 to June, 2014, induced membrane technique combined with ALT flap transfer were applied to repair complex tissue defect of the lower extremity in 12 cases. Of the 12 cases, there were 11 males and one female (their ages ranged from 18 to 45 years, 35 years on average) . One caused by road accident, 4 cases were caused by crush injury, 7 cases were caused by squeeze injury. First stage, the soft tissue defect were repaired by ALT flap transfer, the bone defect were filled with antibiotic cement after debridement and fixed with external or internal fixation. The area of the ALT flap ranged from 9.0 cm×15.0 cm to 15.0 cm×20.0 cm. The length of bone defect ranged from 3.0 cm to 14.0 cm, one of them was muscucaneous flap. Second stage, bone defect were filled with cancellous bone following cement removal in 6 to 12 weeks, 8 weeks on average.

All cases were successfully repaired. Twelve cases were followed up. A mean follow- up was 20 months. All flaps survived, 11 cases were healed in first stage. One case were healed in second stage, healing time ranged from 12 to 18 days; bone healing time ranged from 6 to 9 months, 7 months on average. The functions of supplied regions were not found malfunctional.

Induced membrane technique combined with anteriolateral thigh flap transfer reduce patient treatment time, improve the ability of resis- tance to infection of bone transfer, is an optimal method to repair the complex tissue defect of the lower extremity.

Anteriolateral thigh flap; Complex tissue defect; Leg; Induced membrane technique