Application Of Anterolateral Thighflapin Thereconstructionof Soft Tissuedefect At Oral Andmaxillofacial Region

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of anterolateral thigh flap in the repair of maxillofacial soft tissue defects and facial atrophy deformity. Methods A retrospective study on 11 cases (4 males and 7 females; age range: 16～58 years, average age: 33.5 years) with oral and maxillofacial soft tissue defects restored with free anterolateral thigh flap . Different flap designs were employed depended on the defects types. Among them,we applied free anterolateral thigh adipofascial flaps in 4 cases for reconstruction of facial depression were diagnosed hemifacial atrophy and free anterolateral thigh f1ap in 7 cases for defects of sofe tissue were caused by tumor ablation in the oral and maxillofacial. The area of the flaps ranged from 9cm×7cm～15cm×12cm . The appearance and function of the faciocervical organs and donor site complications and morbidities were evaluated after 3-24months'follow-up. Results All the 11 flaps survived after operation except there was a necrosis on the surface of the flap peak in 2 cases. The free anterolateral thigh adipofascial f1ap appeared obese and 2 patients received secondary period plastic operation of the flaps 6-12 months postoperatively. All the free thinning anterolateral thigh flap had goodelasticity and good appearance and no encumbrance. The flaps for reconstruction of oral cancer defects presented a satisfactory function and overstaffed slightly. All the donor sites were where dissected the flaps resulted in primary healing. The donor sites were performed primary skin closure in 11 cases and were given skin graft in 2 cases. No functional impairment at the donor sites occurred for the long-term effect. Conclusion Using free anterolateral thigh flap for reconstruction of soft tissue defect at oral and maxillofacial region can achieve relatively satisfactory results as it possesses the advantages of abundance volume,easily molding and adjusting the thickness,possessing long vascular pedicle,composition need to be adjusted according to defects, easily concealed donor site,no need to sacrifice neither major nerves nor major blood vessels,and little donor site complications and malformation. Therefore,using free anterolateral thigh flap is relatively an ideal measure for reconstruction of soft tissue defect and deformities at oral and maxillofacial region...