Effect of anteromedial thigh perforator flap on repair of defects caused by oral cancer surgery / 中华医学美学美容杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To introduce the advantages and clinical experience of relaying antero thigh flap in the resurfacing of the donor defect after anteromedial thigh (AMT) flap transfer for oral cancer defect reconstruction.Methods:The number, courses and location of antero thigh perforators were recorded in 6 adult specimens, (3 male and 3 female). Specimen was produced via femoral artery perfusion after joining lead oxide red setting, up to the inguinal ligament, down to the superior margin of patella, lateral to the lateral femoral intermuscular septum, medial near the lateral margin of adductor longus muscle. From February 2016 to December 2018 in Hunan Provincial Cancer Hospital, 13 cases (11 male and 2 female) with oral carcinoma (8 tongue carcinoma and 5 buccal cancer), leaving tongue or mouth defects which were reconstructed by free AMT perforator flaps.Results:All free AMT flaps were harvested smoothly, the flap size ranged from 7.5 cm×4.5 cm to 13.0 cm×7.5 cm, the donor sites were reconstructed with relaying ALT flaps in 10 cases, with relaying AMT flaps in 3 cases, the relaying ALT flap size ranged from 8.5 cm×5.0 cm to 18.0 cm×7.0 cm, the relaying AMT flap size ranged from 7.5 cm×4.0 cm to 15.0 cm×7.0 cm. All flaps survived uneventfully, no vascular crisis or wound dehiscence, infection occurred. All patients were followed up for 12~28 months, all flaps healed smoothly, only linear scar was left in the donor sites, the color, appearance and contour of flaps were natural, and the function of thighs were not affected.Conclusions:When it is difficult to elevate the free anterolateral thigh flap, the free anteromedial thigh flap can be used to repair the oral cancer defect. When the direct closure of the flap donor area is of big tension, the relaying antero flap can be used to reconstruct the donor site, minimize the operation time and improve the outcome.