Late-onset anterolateral thigh free flap failure in buccal carcinoma reconstruction

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To report a case of late-onset anterolateral thigh free flap failure in reconstruction of a defect from excision of buccal carcinoma.METHODS:Design: Case ReportSetting: Tertiary Government Training HospitalPatient OneRESULTS: A 57-year-old man with well-differentiated buccal squamous cell carcinoma underwent wide excision with segmental mandibulectomy, bilateral neck dissection and anterolateral thigh free flap reconstruction. Complete failure of the anterolateral thigh free flap was documented on the 29th post-operative day.CONCLUSION: Late-onset flap failure is mainly non-vascular in etiology. However, flap failure is more likely multifactorial. Frequent follow-up after hospital discharge is recommended to monitor flap viability.