title: Application of Thinned Anterolateral Thigh Flap for the Reconstruction of Head and Neck Defects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the feasibility and reconstructive efficacy of the thinned anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap for the reconstruction of head and neck defects.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective review was performed of 43 patients who had undergone reconstruction of head and neck defects with a thinned ALT flap from January 2009 through December 2013 at the Second Xiangya Hospital. The methods for flap thinning and defect reconstruction and reconstructive efficacy are reported.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The flaps were 5 cm × 7 cm to 9 cm × 14 cm, and all were harvested from a single cutaneous perforator. Postoperatively, 40 flaps survived completely and 3 flaps experienced partial necrosis. Venous compromise occurred in 2 cases, both of which were salvaged after operative exploration. Of the 43 donor sites, 41 were closed directly and resulted in only linear scars, and 2 were closed using full-thickness skin grafts because the defect was larger. All the patients were followed for approximately 6 to 36 months, and they were satisfied with the esthetic and functional results of the donor and recipient sites after reconstruction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With the high success rate of flap transplantation, satisfactory functional and esthetic results, and lower complication rates at the donor and recipient sites, the use of thinned ALT flaps can be a good choice for the reconstruction of head and neck defects in obese patients.
authors: Resident, Department of Stomatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
authors: Zhao-Jian
authors: ZJ
authors: Gong
authors: Visiting Physician, Department of Stomatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
authors: Kai
authors: K
authors: Wang
authors: Visiting Physician, Department of Stomatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
authors: Hong-Yu
authors: HY
authors: Tan
authors: Associate Professor, Department of Stomatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
authors: Sheng
authors: S
authors: Zhang
authors: Resident, Department of Stomatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China.
authors: Zhi-Jing
authors: ZJ
authors: He
authors: Professor and Department Head, Department of Stomatology, Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China. Electronic address: wuhanjiang0198@sina.com.
authors: Han-Jiang
authors: HJ
authors: Wu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D004954:Esthetics; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006085:Graft Survival; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D064827:Myocutaneous Flap / Q000637:transplantation; D037981:Neck Dissection / Q000379:methods; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D061525:Perforator Flap / Q000637:transplantation*; D011788:Quality of Life; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D013848:Thigh / Q000601:surgery*; D060053:Transplant Donor Site / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome