Immediate reconstruction of maxillectomy defects using anterolateral thigh free flap in patients from a low resource region.
OBJECTIVE
To report the reliability and reconstructive outcome of using anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap with or without titanium mesh to repair maxillectomy defects in a patient from a low resource region (LRR).


METHODS
Retrospective review.


METHODS
Clinical data of patients with oral-maxillofacial cancers who underwent maxillectomy and reconstruction using ALT flap in two tertiary cancer centers in southern China were retrospectively reviewed. Reconstructive techniques, flap survival, postoperative oral functions, and surgical complications were reported.


RESULTS
Apart from one total flap loss, 18 of the 19 free ALT flaps survived. Titanium mesh was used in two patients with total maxillectomy defects. Eighteen of the 19 patients resumed a normal oral diet. Fourteen patients had good speech, except one patient with poor pronunciation, and four patients had average speech. One patient presented with postoperative palatal fistula. No other complications were observed.


CONCLUSIONS
The application of ALT flaps with or without titanium mesh to repair maxillectomy defects is straightforward and reliable and has an acceptable reconstructive outcome. It might be a suitable procedure for patients from an LRR.
Department of Head and Neck Oncology, SUN Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guang zhou, Guangdong Province, China. drliuww@gmail.com
Wei Wei
WW
Liu
Han Wei
HW
Peng
Zhu Ming
ZM
Guo
Quan
Q
Zhang
An Kui
AK
Yang
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002681:China; D005260:Female; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008441:Maxillary Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013526:Surgical Mesh; D013848:Thigh; D014025:Titanium; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D014025:Titanium