en تخصصي Special مروری Review Article <span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span calibri="" style="font-family:"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">Background: </span></span></span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">Soft tissue coverage in the upper limb after trauma, burn injury, or tumour removal is a commonly addressed problem by the plastic surgeon. The anterolateral thigh flap (ALT) is recognized as a popular free flap option for covering various types of soft tissue defects due to its versatility. We aimed to assess the functional and aesthetic outcomes of the ALT flap for reconstruction of upper limb defects. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span calibri="" style="font-family:"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">Methods: </span></span></span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">Four electronic databases were searched (MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane) from inception to </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">Feb 2021</span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">Two reviewers independently extracted the data and performed risk assessment using the modified Downs and Black (MDB) quality assessment tool and the modified Newcastle Ottawa Scale for case series.</span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span calibri="" style="font-family:"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">Results</span></span></span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">: This review included seven studies for quantitative assessment. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">The eligible studies had 67 patients. Included studies had used a varied number of validated upper extremity functional scoring systems; the most commonly used score was QuickDASH with mean of 21.24, DASH score was 15.5. In regard to aesthetic outcome, an overall satisfactory result was reported. A secondary debulking procedure was performed in 7 patients. </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span calibri="" style="font-family:"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">Conclusion</span></span></span></b><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">: </span></span></span><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span new="" roman="" style="font-family:" times="">Further studies are recommended to ascertain the functional and aesthetic outcomes of the ALT free flap for upper limb defects, especially using standardized outcome scoring systems. This may be supplemented with a questionnaire that addresses common patient concerns (such as colour, contour, textile and hair growth) for the aesthetic outcome. Nevertheless, based on our review, the ALT flap may be a good reliable reconstructive option for upper limb defects with good functional outcome and satisfactory aesthetic results. </span></span></span></span></span></span><br> <span style="font-size:11pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span calibri="" style="font-family:"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><span style="line-height:150%"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",serif"></span></span></span></span></span></span><br> &nbsp; Upper limb reconstruction, Anterolateral thigh, Free flap, Anterolateral thigh flap, Aesthetic outcome 13 23 http://wjps.ir/browse.php?a_code=A-10-797-2&slc_lang=en&sid=1 Ahmed Hagiga 100319475328460013448 100319475328460013448 Yes Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, East Grinstead, United Kingdom Mohamed Aly 100319475328460013449 100319475328460013449 No Barts Health NHS Trust, London, United Kingdom Murtaza Kadhum 100319475328460013450 100319475328460013450 No Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, East Grinstead, United Kingdom Georgios Christopoulos 100319475328460013451 100319475328460013451 No Queen Victoria Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, East Grinstead, United Kingdom