Use of super-thin anterolateral thigh flap in intra-oral reconstruction of soft tissue defects.

Abstract

Traditional sub-fascial anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps are bulky and often give unsatisfactory outcomes in several head and neck reconstructions where thin pliable flaps are required. As a result, despite high incidence of donor site complications, radial forearm flap is still commonly used for tongue, buccal mucosa and lip defects where a traditional ALT flap would be too bulky. The objective of this report was to evaluate the usefulness of super-thin ALT flap as an alternative to radial forearm flap for intra-oral reconstruction. Retrospective evaluation was done of all head and neck reconstructions performed by a single surgeon between December 2021 and May 2022. Twenty-two patients who had undergone super-thin ALT flaps for intra-oral reconstruction of soft tissue defects were included in the report. These included buccal mucosa (n = 11), tongue (n = 8), and buccal mucosa with neck skin defects (n = 3). All patients had undergone wide excision of oral squamous cell carcinoma, and had history of chewing tobacco. Average age of patients was 54 years, 16 were males and 6 were females. Mean BMI of the patients was 25.2 kg/m2 (Range: 20.5-31.0 kg/m2 ). Super-thin ALT flap was elevated in the plane of superficial fascia of the thigh, thus leaving behind the deeper fat. The flaps were shaped as per the measurements obtained from the specimen as well as the defect and intra-oral inset was done prior to vascular anastomosis. Mean flap dimension was 8.3 × 6.7 cm (range: 6 × 5 to 20 × 7 cm). Mean flap thickness was 9 mm (range: 4-20 mm). Mean flap elevation time was 70.9 min (Range: 48-105 min). None of the flaps needed a re-exploration. All flaps survived completely. One patient had surgical site infection at the flap donor site which was managed conservatively. Mean follow up was 5 months (range: 3-10 months). All patients were able to take soft oral diet at the last follow up. Super-thin ALT flaps raised in superficial fascia plane are reliable and provide thin, pliable tissue for head and neck reconstruction. Unlike other thin flaps, these are not limited by donor site morbidity and flap dimension.