ABSTRACT
Objective:To evaluate the clinical applicability of CT angiography (CTA) for locating the perforator vessels of anterolateral thigh flap(ALTF) and the effects of individualized ALTF designed by CTA for the reconstruction of the soft tissue defects of tongue after the resection of tongue carcinoma.Methods:21 patients with tongue squamous cell carcinoma underwent CTA for locating the perforator vessels of ALTFs and for the design of individualized ALTFs before operation.The patients underwent soft tissue defect reconstruction with individualized ALTFs after tumor removal.Results:All the operations came off as preoperative designed,the intraoperative findings of the blood vessel alignment were consistent with the preoperative CTA results.The size of flaps was 6.0 cm × 5.0 cm-11.0 cm× 8.5 cm.20 ALTFs survived,2 ALTFs appeared vascular crisis,1 remained survival and the other was necrotic after surgical exploration.During 6 ～ 60 momhs of follow-up,the survival condition of flaps and the wound healing condition were both satisfactory.1 patient died because of distant metastasis 18 months after operation.20 patients reminded free of carcinoma and satisfied with the reconstructive effects of chewing,swallowing and linguistic function.Conclusion:CTA can accurately locate perforator vessels for the design of individualized AFLT.AFLT designed by CTA is an ideal choice for the reconstruction of postoperative soft tissue defects after resection tongue carcinoma.