Reconstruction of maxillofacial defect using free anterolateral thigh flaps after resection

Abstract

Objective To explore the value of free anterolateral thigh flaps in the reconstruction of maxillofacial defects after resection. Methods Patients were recruited from January, 2008 to March, 2016 in the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Nanjing University. All patients sunder when reconstructive surgery employing anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flaps follow-up of 3 months to 84 months after operation. Results Among 422 cases, survived completely with satisfied configuration, the survival rate was 98.6%. Postoerative vessel thrombosis occurred in flaps, 21 patients required operative exploration in the perioperative period including 10 flaps with thrombotic events and 11 flaps with venous thrombosis were complete survival after the salvages, and 6 flaps were failure. The mean follow-up was 36.5 months (range: 3 to 84 months). Conclusion The free anterolateral thigh flap is an ideal choice for reconstruction of maxillofacial defects, as it has many advantages such as abundance volume, easily molding and adjusting the thickness, possessing, long vascular pedicle, composition need to be adjusted according to defects, easily concealed donor site, and little donor site complications and malformation. Key words: Anterolateral thigh flap; Maxillofacial defect; Reconstruction; Microsurgical technique