A preliminary study on free medial sural artery perforator flap for head and neck reconstruction following tumor ablation

Abstract

To investigate the application of free medial sural artery perforator flap to reconstruct the defect following head and neck tumor ablation. From April 2010 to January 2011, the defects after head and neck tumor resection were reconstructed with free medial sural artery perforator flaps in 16 patients. The clinical data were collected and analyzed, including site and histology of tumor, the skin paddle's size of the flap, the length of pedicle, the number of major perforators and donor-site morbidity. Medial gastrocnemius territories were evaluated before operation and free medial sural artery perforator flaps were used to reconstruct the defect after tumor ablation in 16 cases. One flap partially survived due to venous thrombosis. All of the other 15 flaps succeeded. The donor site was primarily closed in 15 cases and skin graft was applied in one case. All donor sites except one case healed in first intention. Long-term follow-up showed satisfying receipt-site reconstruction results with good functional and cosmetic outcome in the donor site. There was only minor sensory deficit in the donor site. The medial sural artery perforator flap is reliable for reconstruction of the small to medium-sized defect in head and neck region with less donor site morbidity.