Chimeric anterolateral thigh free flap for reconstruction of oral cancer

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: In recent years, cancer in the oral cavity has been a fairly common disease in Vietnam. The treatment of this pathology requires the coordination of many different specialties such as wide resection of the tumor, reconstructive surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy. Reconstruction of post-excision tumors in the oral cavity is always a challenge with the surgeon. The report aims to provide outcomes and share our chimeric ALT flap experience to cover defects after oral cancer resection. Patients and Methods: Cross-sectional study on 18 patients who had reconstruction with free flap after wide resection cancer's tumor in the oral cavity. Research randomly selected for age and gender. The results evaluate the flap survival rate, the degree of coverage, function, and aesthetics after surgery, the 5-year survival rates. Results: 18 patients had the ratio of male/female: 14/4; age ranged from 39 to 62 years old. Pathology's results of 15/18 patients were squamous cell carcinoma; 3/18 is adenoma mucoepidermoid carcinoma. The proportion of patients having chemotherapy before surgery is 4/18, radiation before surgery is 6/18. 100% flap survival rate is 16/18; Partial necrosis of the flap 2/18. 18/18 patients had radiation therapy after surgery. The 5 – years survival rate to the end of the study was 11/18. Conclusion: Using chimeric ALT flap to cover the defect after cancer tumor removal in the oral cavity is an optimal choice with many advantages: the ability to cover a wide defect so it can be cut broadly, preserving the maximum function of the oral, minimizing morbidity at the donor site. However, the surgery needs teamwork of highly trained, multi-specialist coordination and modern equipment. Keywords: Chimeric ALT flap, oral cavity cancer, squamous cell carcinoma.