ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most commonly occurring malignant tumor in the oral cavity. In South Korea, it occurs most frequently in the mandible, tongue, maxilla, buccal mucosa, other areas of the oral cavity, and lips. Radial forearm free flap (RFFF) is the most widely used reconstruction method for the buccal mucosal defect. The scar of the forearm donor, however, is highly visible and unsightly, and a secondary surgical site is needed when such technique is applied. For these reasons, buccal fat pad (BFP) flap has been commonly used for closing post-surgical excision sites since the recent decades because of its reliability, ease of harvest, and low complication rate. CASE PRESENTATION: In the case reported herein, BFP flap was used to reconstruct a cheek mucosal defect after excision. The defect was completely covered by the BFP flap, without any complications. CONCLUSION: Discussed herein is the usefulness of BFP flap for the repair of the cheek mucosal defect. Also, further studies are needed to determine the possibility of using BFP flap when the defect is deep, and the maximum volume that can be harvested considering the changes in volume with age.
Subject(s)
Humans , Adipose Tissue , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell , Cheek , Cicatrix , Epithelial Cells , Forearm , Free Tissue Flaps , Korea , Lip , Mandible , Maxilla , Methods , Mouth , Mouth Mucosa , Tissue Donors , TongueABSTRACT
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell , Follow-Up Studies , Forearm , Free Tissue Flaps , Head , Korea , Mouth , Neck , Pliability , Retrospective Studies , Surgery, OralABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The aims of reconstruction after removal of head and neck cancer are restoration of function and aesthetics. Local flap is ideal for small size defect of head and neck and pedicled myocutaneous flap or distant flap have been used for medium or large size defect. But free flap reconstruction now is commonly used according to diversity of factors for reconstruction. OBJECTIVE: There are some kinds of free flap such as radial forearm free flap, scapular free flap, jejunal free flap, latissimus dorsi free flap, and rectus abdominis free flap. Lateral arm free flap have been occasionally reported in orthopedic operation but recently reported in head and neck and not reported in Korea. Thus we analysed outcome and advantage of lateral arm free flap. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We have been using lateral arm free flap to reconstruct patients from Dec. 1995 to Sep. 1996 which are included 6 patients who were seen with malignant lesions involving oral cavity and oropharynx. RESULT: 6 Patients included palatal cancer(1), tongue cancer(3), and tongue base cancer(2). All patients had been used lateral arm free flap for reconstruction. And they did not experience major complication. CONCLUSION: The lateral arm free flap is thin, pliable, and can be used as a sensate flap. It does not require the sacrificing of a major vessel to the arm and excellent cosmetic result can be achieved when the wound is closed primarily. So we think that the lateral arm free flap is an excellent method for medium sized head and neck reconstruction.