Clinial application of free posterlateral leg perforator flap in the reconstruction of soft tissue defects at oral and maxillofacial region

Abstract

Objective To investigate the outcome of free posterolateral leg perforator flap in the reconstruction of soft tissue defects of oral and maxillofacial area. Methods From February, 2014 to August, 2016, 16 patients were performed defect reconstruction following oral cancer ablation with free posterolateral leg perforator flap including 3 cases of sequamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, 6 cases of carcinoma of the buccal mucosa, 7 cases of sequamouse cell carcinoma of the floor of mouth. The flap ranged from 5.0 cm×3.0 cm to 13.0 cm ×9.0 cm in size, and were adjected to the soft tissue defects of oral and maxillofacial area. The outcome of reconstruction was evaluated by considering the facial appearance, the swallowing and the speach function, the ranges of mouth opening and patient prognosis. Results All 15 transplanted flaps survived well and only 1 survived after disposing in time, because of vascular crisis. The donor sites were closed directly without donor-site morbidity. All patients were satisfactory with their facial appearance, the ranges of mouth opening and swallowing and speech function. Conclusion The free posterolateral leg perforator was an ideal free tissue for repairing functionally oral and maxillofacial defects, sinceit including some beneficial characteristic such as constant blood vessel, flexible and divese design, abundant and position-latent donor site tissues, small operation loss, flexible preparation and loss of major vascular nerves. Key words: Oral cancer; Tissue defects of oral and maxillofacial; Posterolateral leg perforator flap; Rconstruction