Abstract
BackgroundThe purpose of the study was to compare the differences of the subjective satisfaction of the donor site morbidity between the free radial forearm flap (FRFF) and anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF) for tongue reconstruction.Material and MethodsOne hundred and nineteen patients underwent FRFF or ALTF reconstruction were retrospectively evaluated by a standardized self-established donor site morbidity questionnaire which included 5 domains, sensibility, movement disabilities, cosmetics, social activities and general impacts on the quality of life.ResultsThe Cronbach’s coefficient alpha of the questionnaire was 0.707. The exploratory factor analysis revealed that the 5 items of the questionnaire might load onto two distinct subscales. Patients with ALTF had higher scores in the sensibility, cosmetics and the composite score (P< 0.05). No significant differences were found in the movement disabilities, social activities and general impacts on the quality of life between the two groups (P > 0.05).ConclusionsALTF has the advantage of better results of donor site morbidity, such as sensibility and cosmetics, over FRFF. Key words:Quality of life, tongue cancer, free radial forearm flap, anterolateral thigh flap, donor site morbidity.
Highlights
Free radial forearm flap (FRFF) and anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF) have established themselves as the most popular choices for reconstruction of tongue and other intra-oral defects
ALTF has the advantage of better results of donor site morbidity, such as sensibility and cosmetics, over free radial forearm flap (FRFF)
There were no significant differences in age, comorbidity, education level and postoperative radiotherapy between the FRFF group and ALTF group
Summary
Free radial forearm flap (FRFF) and anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF) have established themselves as the most popular choices for reconstruction of tongue and other intra-oral defects. Some studies had revealed that patients reconstructed with the ALTF had lower complications, better functional results and aesthetic outcomes at donor site than those with FRFF by objective evaluation [1,2,3,4,5,6]. The purpose of the study was to compare the differences of the subjective satisfaction of the donor site morbidity between the free radial forearm flap (FRFF) and anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF) for tongue reconstruction. Material and Methods: One hundred and nineteen patients underwent FRFF or ALTF reconstruction were retrospectively evaluated by a standardized self-established donor site morbidity questionnaire which included 5 domains, sensibility, movement disabilities, cosmetics, social activities and general impacts on the quality of life. No significant differences were found in the movement disabilities, social activities and general impacts on the quality of life between the two groups (P > 0.05)
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