Maxfacts

Thigh

Postoperative problems affecting the thigh include

• The principal problems arising after maxillofacial (reconstructive surgery) procedures on the thigh are either from split skin graft harvesting or vastus lateralis (large and powerful thigh muscle, running from the top/side to the front/middle and connecting there to the knee) / anterolateral thigh (ALT) free flap (a free skin, fat and/or fascia flap from that region of the thigh) harvest.
• Skin graft. Painful raw superficial wound is left to granulate so the wrap around dressing is very important. The area will look and feel raw for at least 10 days even if not infected or irritated. If that happens it will be raw and painful for longer.
• Vastus/ALT flap. Numbness in the area is common but often not noticed. A drain will be in place for a day or two. Haematoma (accumulation of clotted blood in tissue) and especially seroma (accumulation of blood plasma in tissue) formation is quite common. It is usually possible to walk normally a day or two after the operation. This may be why seroma is common. Even damage to the motor nerve to the vastus lateralis muscle seems to make little difference to quadriceps function (quadriceps is the large group of muscles in front of the thigh that extend the leg). Wound infection is possible but very rare as the defect is closed primarily. Running subcuticular (under the skin) sutures avoid cross hatching scars and the need to remove sutures or staples.