title: Use of the free vastus lateralis flap in skull base reconstruction.
abstract: Free flaps in skull base reconstruction are indicated for providing an effective separation of the intracranial cavity from the oronasal space, for eliminating a dead space, and for the treatment of established wound complications such as dural exposures and cerebrospinal fluid leaks. Seven patients with cranial base defects underwent reconstructions using a free vastus lateralis muscle flap. In two cases, a vastus lateralis flap was raised to incorporate the anterolateral thigh skin as a myocutaneous flap. In four cases, a free flap was indicated for reconstruction following tumor ablation, and in three cases, for the resolution of wound or cerebrospinal fluid leak complications following previous cranial base surgery. All flaps were successful, with no partial failures. In those patients undergoing tumor ablative surgery, the cranial cavity was effectively sealed from the oronasal cavity. Patients with established wound complications following previous cranial base surgery had a complete resolution of their symptoms. This report discusses the suitability of the vastus lateralis flap for skull base reconstruction in terms of the availability of adequate muscle volume to fill dead space, vascularized fascia to augment dural repairs, and the freedom to use skin if required for internal lining or external skin cover. This flap also provides an extremely long pedicle, allows simultaneous flap harvest, and has low donor site morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jagdeep S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Chana
authors.forename: Hung-Chi
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Rattan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.forename: Sheng-Po
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Hao
authors.forename: Feng-Chou
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Tsai
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002559:Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D012086:Reoperation; D019291:Skull Base / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D019292:Skull Base Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013529:Surgical Wound Dehiscence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D020858:Tissue and Organ Harvesting