title: Single perforator based anterolateral thigh flap for reconstruction of large composite defects of oral cavity.
abstract: Composite defects of oral cavity are a reconstructive challenge. Anterolateral thigh flap provides large and pliable tissue for reconstruction of these defects. However, wide variations in the vascular anatomy, variable perforator number and location are reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability of single perforator based large anterolateral thigh for reconstruction of complex oral cavity defects following ablative surgery. We report a series of 25 consecutive patients who underwent reconstruction of oral cavity defects with anterolateral thigh flap based on single perforator between August 2009 and August 2010. The mean flap dimension was 261cm(2) (range 80-540cm(2)). In 21 patients the flap was bi-paddled and used for inner and outer lining for cheek. None of the flaps developed perforator insufficiency. Two flaps were lost due to delayed neck wound sepsis after 7th post operative day. This study establishes safety and reliability of using a large and/or bi-paddled anterolateral thigh flap based on single perforator for reconstruction of complex oral cavity defects.
authors.affiliation: Department of Head and Neck Oncology, Mazumdar-Shaw Cancer Center, Narayana Hrudayalaya, Health City, Bangalore, India. vikram@hrudayalaya.com
authors.forename: Vikram D
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Kekatpure
authors.forename: Nirav P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Trivedi
authors.forename: Girish
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shetkar
authors.forename: B V
authors.initials: BV
authors.lastname: Manjula
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Mathan Mohan
authors.forename: Moni Abraham
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Kuriakose
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006085:Graft Survival; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply*; D013848:Thigh / Q000098:blood supply; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult