Reversed-flow superior thyroid artery: an alternative recipient vessel in head and neck reconstruction.
In neoadjuvant intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy patients, the common recipient arteries are frequently damaged owing to preoperative chemotherapy-induced intima injury. When antegrade arterial inflow to the free flap is not available, end-to-side carotid arterial anastomosis or exploration of another recipient artery may be an appropriate solution. However, reversed arterial flow is an alternative to such a situation. We report a case with squamous cell carcinoma on the right buccal area, which was successfully reconstructed using a free anterolateral thigh flap with reverse superior thyroid arterial inflow. This alternative method might shorten the operation time and also reduce further exploration injury in the operation field.
Huang
Shu-Hung
SH
Division of Plastic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Wu
Sheng-Hua
SH
Wang
Wen-Her
WH
Cheen
Mau-Chang
MC
Lai
Cheng-Sheng
CS
Lin
Sin-Daw
SD
Chang
Kao-Ping
KP
D001158:Arteries / Q000601:surgery; D002404:Catheterization; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013961:Thyroid Gland / Q000098:blood supply*