title: Combined use of anterolateral thigh flap and pharyngeal flap for reconstruction of extensive soft-palate defects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Functional reconstruction of extensive soft-palate defects is challenging for microsurgeons. The versatility of the combination of a free anterolateral thigh flap and a superiorly based pharyngeal flap for oncologic soft-palate reconstruction was investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  The combination of flaps was used for immediate reconstruction after total or subtotal resection of the soft palate in five consecutive patients from 2006 to 2011.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All flaps survived completely. Palatal fistula and miniplate infection each developed in one patient but healed conservatively. Follow-up period ranged from 21 to 66 months. All patients tolerated a regular diet without significant aspiration or nasal regurgitation. Speech intelligibility was excellent in all patients, and none required a palatal prosthesis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combination of an anterolateral thigh flap and a superiorly based pharyngeal flap is a versatile option for reconstructing extensive soft-plate defects. This method is simple and achieves reproducible results with limited donor-site morbidity. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microsurgery 36:291-296, 2016.
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Shimpei
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Miyamoto
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan.
authors.forename: Minoru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sakuraba
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan.
authors.forename: Shogo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nagamatsu
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Masahide
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fujiki
authors.affiliation: Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan.
authors.forename: Yutaka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Fukunaga
authors.affiliation: Division of Head and Neck Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital East, Kashiwa, Japan.
authors.forename: Ryuichi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Hayashi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D006085:Graft Survival; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010157:Palatal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery*; D010614:Pharynx / Q000601:surgery*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013848:Thigh; D016896:Treatment Outcome