Application of anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flap in the reconstruction of tongue and mouth floor defect after tongue carcinoma / 中华整形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the application of free anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flap in the reconstruction of tongue and mouth floor defect after radical resection of tongue carcinoma.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>From June 2006 to April 2009, 14 cases with tongue carcinoma underwent radical resection, leaving tongue and mouth floor defects which were reconstructed by anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flaps at the same stage. These 14 cases included tongue carcinoma at lingual margin (n=9), at ventral tongue (n=3) and at mouth floor (n=2). The flap size ranged from 7 cm x 9 cm to 5 cm x 7 cm.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>All the 14 flaps survived completely with primary healing. There was no functional morbidity in the lower extremities. The patients were followed up for 12-26 months with satisfied esthetic and functional results in reconstructed tongue. Only one case (T4 N1 M0) died of metastasis carcinoma 14 months after operation. No local recurrence happened.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flap has abundant tissue volume to reconstruct the tongue and mouth floor defect, while leaving less morbidity at donor site. Both satisfied esthetic and functional results can be achieved.</p>