[Application of the free vascularized lateral upper arm flap in intraoral reconstruction following ablative tumour surgery].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the application of the lateral arm free flap (LAFF) in the reconstruction for intraoral defects.


METHODS
Intraoral reconstruction was performed using the LAFF for 10 patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue (n = 3), cheek (n = 4), gingiva (n = 1) and oropharynx (n = 2). There were 8 men and 2 women (mean age, 52 years).


RESULTS
Nine LAFF healed uneventfully. One flap was lost on the second postoperative day due to venous insufficiency. The donor defect was closed primarily In all patients. There were no significant complications at the donor site.


CONCLUSIONS
Because of the thin and pliable nature, the lateral upper arm flap can be recommended as a choice for repair of moderate-sized defects of the oral maxillofacial area.
Yuan
Ye
Y
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing 210029, China. yuan0ye@sina.com
Tao
Zhen-jiang
ZJ
Wu
Yu-nong
YN
Liu
Jie
J
Wang
Tao
T
Xing
Shu-zhong
SZ
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D016896:Treatment Outcome