[Phalloplasty with pedicled anterolateral thigh flap ("ALT-Flap")].

Phalloplasty in female-to-male transsexuals is a very demanding procedure concerning preoperative planning and surgical implementation and many operative techniques have been described in the past. Here we illustrate the phalloplasty by means of a pedicled anterolateral-thigh-flap ("ALT-flap") in a patient who underwent unsuccessful groin-flap-phalloplasty alio loco. The sensible innervation was constituted via coaptation to a branch of the pudendal nerve. The technique presented here shows an aesthetically appealing result 6 months postoperatively with a 2-point discrimination of 2.5 cm and ongoing reinnervation. The operative time was reasonable with 360 min. The benefit of a pedicled transposition vs. a free transplantation becomes obvious especially as a salvage procedure in a preoperated situs with altered vascular anatomy. Additionally the shortened operating time and the lack of possible complications of microvascular anastomoses bear advantages. In conclusion we consider this technique for phalloplasty concerning operating time and effort, complications, donor site morbidity and aesthetic result as an appropriate alternative to established methods in selected patients.
(© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York.)