Lateral thigh free flap for head and neck reconstruction.
OBJECTIVE
To present the technique of lateral thigh free flap reconstruction in the head and neck and review the use of this procedure in 58 head and neck defect reconstructions.


METHODS
Retrospective review in the setting of a tertiary, referral, and academic center.


METHODS
Retrospective review of patient records in cases of lateral thigh free flap reconstruction for head and neck defects. Records were reviewed for patient age, gender, pathologic findings, type of reconstruction (pharyngoesophageal, glossectomy, oropharyngeal, or external soft tissue defects), recipient and donor-site complications, and flap failure.


RESULTS
Fifty-eight patients underwent lateral thigh flap reconstruction from 1984 to 1997. Patient age ranged from 10 to 76 years. Thirty-nine patients were men, and 19 were women. Forty-three flaps were used for pharyngoesophageal reconstruction, nine for glossectomy defects, two for oropharyngeal defects, and four for external, soft tissue defects. All resections were for squamous cell carcinoma, except one case of recurrent hemangiopericytoma. One flap failure occurred from venous thrombosis (1.7%). Forty-two of 43 pharyngoesophageal defects were successfully reconstructed (97.6%). Five temporary salivary leaks were noted, but no frank fistulas occurred. One fistula occurred in the oropharyngeal reconstruction group. Four minor donor-site complications were noted (6.9%).


CONCLUSIONS
This series demonstrates the low donor-site morbidity, as well as the reliability and versatility, of the lateral thigh free flap for head and neck reconstruction.
Hayden
R E
RE
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical College of Pennsylvania-Hahnemann University, Philadelphia 19102, USA.
Deschler
D G
DG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013848:Thigh