The clinical application of free anteromedial thigh perforator flap in the reconstruction of tongue and mouth floor defect after tongue carcinoma

Abstract

To investigate the application of free anteromedial thigh (AMT) perforator flap in the reconstruction of tongue defect after radical resection of tongue carcinoma. From September 2010 to January 2015,57 cases with tongue carcinoma underwent radical resection, leaving tongue and mouth floor defects which were reconstructed by AMT perforator flaps at the same stage. These 57 eases included tongue carcinoma at lingual margin (n =36),at ventral tongue (n =15) and at mouth floor (n=6). . The size of AMT perforator flap ranged from 5.5 cm ×4.0 cm to 7.5 cm × 5.5 cm, the thickness of flap ranged from 1.0-1.7 cm. The length of pedicle from descending branch of lateral circumferential femoral artery is (8.2 ± 0.6) cm, found in 28 cases. The length of pedicle from profunda femoral artery is (8.5 ±0.4) cm, found in 17 cases. The length of pedicle from femoral artery is (8.1 ± 0.7) cm, found in 12 cases. All 57 perforator flaps survived uneventfully, the defects at donor site were closed directly in all cases. All patients were followed up for 12-24 months with satisfactory esthetic and functional results in reconstructed tongue. No local recurrence happened. Only linear scar left in the donor sites, the function of thighs were not affected The free AMT perforator flap is an ideal choice for reconstruction of the tongue and mouth floor defect after radical resection of tongue carcinoma.