Plastic surgery Antero lateral thigh flap workshop

Plastic Surgery Anterolateral Thigh (ALT) Flap Hands-on Cadaver Workshop
The Hands-on Cadaver Workshop on Anterolateral Thigh (ALT) Flap is an advanced, procedural masterclass jointly organized by the Department of Plastic Surgery and the Department of Anatomy. Widely regarded as the workhorse flap in modern reconstructive microsurgery, the ALT flap provides versatile, large-volume soft tissue coverage with minimal donor site morbidity.

This intensive workshop is tailored for plastic surgeons, reconstructive fellows, and postgraduate surgical residents, providing dedicated cadaveric workstations, surgical loupe magnification, micro-instrumentation, and step-by-step guidance from senior reconstructive microsurgeons.

Key Workshop Highlights & Objectives
Delegates master precision cutaneous perforator mapping, intermuscular plane dissection, retrograde pedicle skeletonization to the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA), and flap tailoring.

  • Workhorse Reconstructive Flap – Mastery of versatile fasciocutaneous, chimeric, and myocutaneous ALT designs
  • Perforator Dissection – Intramuscular and septocutaneous perforator tracking through vastus lateralis
  • Plastic Surgery & Anatomy Collaboration – Seamless integration of reconstructive planning and vascular anatomy
  • Small Batch Training – Limited participant seats ensuring extensive individual station time and table proctoring
  • Pedicle Harvest – Full length exposure of the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA)
All cadaveric dissections are performed adhering strictly to ethical guidelines and institutional protocols, offering surgeons realistic tissue planes and tactile depth resistance vital for successful free flap harvesting.
Structured Hands-on Dissection Curriculum
The program bridges theoretical flap vascular anatomy with live table prosections, video case analyses of complex head, neck, and extremity reconstructions, and uninterrupted wet-lab microdissections.
Sessions start with surface landmark drawing (AP line from ASIS to superolateral patella) and Doppler localization of perforators. Trainees then execute medial exploratory incisions, identify subfascial perforators, perform intramuscular dissection, and complete proximal pedicle mobilization up to the femoral vessel takeoff.

Stepwise Workshop Matrix

Session 1: Surface Anatomy & Incision | Session 2: Perforator Dissection | Session 3: Pedicle & Flap Harvest
ASIS to patella reference line & midpoint marking | Medial incision & subfascial elevation of rectus femoris | Intramuscular course unroofing through vastus lateralis
Handheld Doppler acoustic perforator mapping | Septocutaneous vs. musculocutaneous perforator identification | Mobilization of LCFA descending branch & venae comitantes
Skin paddle design & tension-free planning | Motor nerve to vastus lateralis preservation | Chimeric design options & donor site primary closure

Core Surgical Modules & Syllabus
Guided by experienced reconstructive microsurgeons, delegates perform sequential operative steps on cadaveric lower limbs:

Drawing the longitudinal reference line connecting the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS) to the superolateral border of the patella. Identifying the 3-cm circle around the midpoint where the majority of dominant cutaneous perforators emerge.

Making the medial exploratory skin incision down through deep fascia. Elevating the fascia over the rectus femoris muscle and retracting medially to expose the septum between rectus femoris and vastus lateralis.

Distinguishing true septocutaneous vessels from intramuscular perforators. Precise muscle-splitting technique under optical loupe magnification, unroofing muscular branches, and bipolar control of side branches while protecting the motor nerve to vastus lateralis.

Retrograde tracing of the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA) and accompanying venae comitantes up to the main branch to achieve an 8 to 12 cm vascular pedicle length with wide vessel caliber.

Technical principles of micro-dissected thin ALT flaps, harvesting chimeric components (fascia lata, vastus lateralis muscle cuff, tensor fasciae latae), and tension-free direct closure or skin grafting of the donor defect.
Faculty from the Department of Anatomy demonstrate vascular variations of the lateral circumflex femoral system and fascial layers to ensure complete anatomical mastery.
Eligibility & Workstation Infrastructure
Designed for reconstructive surgeons looking to gain surgical confidence and reduce operative harvest times for free and pedicled ALT flaps.

Target Audience

Plastic Surgeons, Head & Neck Oncosurgeons, Orthopaedic Oncosurgeons, and Senior Residents (M.Ch / DNB / Fellowships).
Read More

Equipment Standard

Fine micro-dissecting scissors (Tenotomy/Stevens), micro-bipolar forceps, self-retaining retractor sets, and handheld Doppler probes.
Read More

Certification

Joint certificate issued by the Department of Plastic Surgery and Department of Anatomy with accredited CME credit hours.
Read More
Each dissection table receives orientation regarding delicate perforator traction safety, preventing spasm, and surgical ergonomics during deep muscle dissection.

WORKSHOP FACULTY & ORGANIZERS

DEPARTMENT OF PLASTIC SURGERY
DEPARTMENT OF PLASTIC SURGERYLead Microsurgical Faculty
Senior Reconstructive Microsurgeon demonstrating ALT flap design, perforator isolation, and pedicle harvest.
DEPARTMENT OF ANATOMY
DEPARTMENT OF ANATOMYAnatomical Director
Supervising lower extremity angiosome mapping, fascia lata anatomy, and specimen preservation.
ORGANIZING COMMITTEE
ORGANIZING COMMITTEEWet-Lab Coordinator
Managing dissection table logistics, micro-instrumentation, loupes, and delegate hands-on rotations.

Specialized Workshop: ALT Flap Dissection • Hands-On Cadaver Training

Hands-on Cadaver Workshop on Anterolateral Thigh Flap Harvesting organized jointly by the Department of Plastic Surgery and Department of Anatomy.

0 Workhorse Flap
ALT Flap Dissection
0%
Hands-On Cadaveric Training
0 Course
Plastic Reconstructive Surgery

Find Us

  • B.V.V. SANGHA’S

    S.NIJALINGAPPA MEDICAL COLLEGE & RESEARCH CENTRE

  • Monday – Friday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Latest News

QUICK LINKS

Reach Us

© 2026 All Rights Reserved by S Nijalingappa Medical College

New Courses

Contact Info

  • Department of Anatomy,

    S. Nijalingappa Medical College & H.S.K. Hospital and Research Centre (B.V.V. Sangha),

    Navanagar, Bagalkot – 587 102, Karnataka, India.

  • +91 8354 235360 / 235340

  • info@snmcacsl.in

  • Advance Cadaver Skill Labs

Recent Posts

Go to Top