Acute compartment syndrome secondary to anterolateral thigh flap harvesting in a pediatric patient: A case report

INTRODUCTION: The anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap is the most popularly used flap for major soft tissue reconstruction. Although it is widely used, acute compartment syndrome (ACS) in pediatric patients has rarely been reported in the literature. We herein reported a case of ACS in a 6-year-old girl after ALT flap harvest with direct closure of the donor site. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 6-year-old girl was admitted to the Second Hospital of Jilin University with crush injury on the palmar aspect of the right hand and wrist. DIAGNOSIS: Examination showed soft tissue defect of the hand and wrist, damage on the thenar muscles, lightly crushed flexor tendons, crushed median nerve, and ulnar artery thrombosis. INTERVENTIONS: The defect was closed with an ipsilateral ALT flap measuring 9 cm in length by 6 cm in width. OUTCOMES: After debridement was performed 3 times, the majority of the rectus femoris and lateral femoris were removed. Secondary closure by skin grafting was performed 2 weeks later. Three days after the procedure, necrotic tissues were noted on the edges of the wound. The diagnosis of ACS of the right was made. A second exploration was decided, and an extensive anterior compartment fasciotomy was performed. After 6 weeks of vacuum sealing drainage therapy, the defect was closed with a free latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous flap. At 4 months of follow-up, the right thigh wound had healed. At 6 months of follow-up, quadriceps muscle weakness remained. At 1 year of follow-up, the patient's mobility had been significantly improved, but diminished sensation remained on the lateral aspect of the thigh. CONCLUSION: ACS can occur after ALT flap harvesting in pediatric patients and should be recognized as early as possible to avoid devastating complications.