Head and neck reconstruction with anterolateral thigh flap.
OBJECTIVE
Our goal was to present our experience with the free anterolateral thigh flap for reconstruction of various cutaneous and mucosal defects of the head and neck.


METHODS
We conducted a retrospective review of 37 patients who underwent reconstruction between 1994 and 2002. Outcome measures included ethnicity, flap harvest technique, vascular anatomy, flap success, general surgical complications, and donor site morbidity.


RESULTS
The majority of our patients were white (n = 33). The size of the 39 free anterolateral thigh flaps varied from 24 to 252 cm(2). There was 1 arterial failure and flap loss (2.6%) and 2 venous occlusions that were both salvaged. The donor site was closed primarily in 37 cases and with a split-thickness skin graft in 2 cases.


CONCLUSIONS
This is the first report on using the free anterolateral thigh flap in whites. This free transfer has proved to be a versatile and reliable flap for reconstruction of the head and neck.
Wharton Head and Neck Centre, Princess Margaret Hospital, University Health Network, Toronto, Ontario, USA.
Antti A
AA
Mäkitie
Nigel J P
NJ
Beasley
Peter C
PC
Neligan
Joan
J
Lipa
Patrick J
PJ
Gullane
Ralph W
RW
Gilbert
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000637:transplantation*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply; D013848:Thigh