Outcome of thoracoacromial artery perforator (TAAP) flap for reconstruction of defect after oral tumor radi-cal resection

Abstract

Objective To observe the outcome of free TAAP flap in the reconstruction of defect after oral tumor radical resection. Methods From June, 2010 to April, 2015, 12 patients with oral tumor underwent radical resec-tion, including 4 cases of gingival carcinoma, 3 cases of tongue carcinoma and 5 case of buccal cancer. The cause ranged from 2 to 12 months. The radical resection left defects with size ranged from 4.5 cm×3.5 cm to 6.0 cm×4.5 cm which were reconstructed by free TAAP flaps with size ranged from 7.0 cm×4.0 cm to 12.0 cm×8.0 cm. The length of TAAP flap was (6.5±0.6) cm. The width of flap was (4.3±0.5) cm. And the thickness of flap was (1.1±0.3) cm. The length of pedicle was (8.4±0.2) cm. All the arteries of TAAP were anastomosed with superior thyroid arteries, while the venae comitans were anastomosed with superior thyroid venae or internal jugular venae. Results The perforators existed consistently. All 12 flaps survived uneventfully. The donor sites were closed directly in all cases. All patients were followed up for 14-38 months with satisfied esthetic and functional results in reconstructed tongue. No local recurrence happened. The shoul-der function was not affected. Conclusion The TAAP flap has consistent blood supply, good color match and texture, while leaving minimal morbidity at donor site, is an ideal choice for buccal tumor reconstruction. Key words: Thoracoacromial artery, perforator flap; Buccal tumor; Flap transplantation; Microsurgical technique