Anterolateral thigh flaps in closing large abdominal wall defect after the resection of mucinous adenocarcinoma: a case report

BACKGROUND: It is a big challenge to repair a large abdominal wall defect after tumor resection, and en bloc resection with vascularized tissue reconstruction might be an alternative to achieve an improved survival for abdominal wall tumors. CASE PRESENTATION: A 45-year-old woman presented with a 1-year history of persistent abdominal pain of the right lower quadrant and a mass with dermal ulceration. An enhanced computed tomography scan and biopsy of the mass were performed to achieve the definite diagnosis of abdominal mucinous adenocarcinoma. After four courses of “FOLFOX” chemotherapy, the tumor grew to 6 × 5 cm during preoperative examination. Thereafter, we removed the tumor and involved tissues and organs and repaired the sizeable abdominal wall defect used by biological meshes and vascularized anterolateral thigh flaps. The patient suffered green drainage of 450 ml in the abdominal cavity and intestinal anastomotic fistula, for which she readmitted and recovered afterward. CONCLUSIONS: Biological mesh combined with vascularized anterolateral thigh flaps could effectively repair the large abdominal wall defect and restore the biological function of the abdominal wall.