TY - JOUR
T1 - Combined Anterolateral Thigh and Tensor Fasciae Latae Flaps
T2 - An Option for Reconstruction of Large Head and Neck Defects
AU - Tursun, Ramzey
AU - Marwan, Hisham
AU - Green, J. Marshall
AU - Alotaibi, Fawaz
AU - LeDoux, Andre
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2017
PY - 2017/8
Y1 - 2017/8
N2 - Purpose The advent of microvascular free tissue transfer has provided the reconstructive surgeon with an enormous array of treatment options for reconstruction of large head and neck defects. However, when indicated by defect size, the need for more than 1 flap not only increases surgical complexity but also patient morbidity. The combination of the anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap and the tensor fascia latae (TFL) flap can be used to reconstruct such complex head and neck defects, thereby minimizing any additional morbidity that would be imposed by an additional flap harvest site. The present study reports on the use of the combined ALT-TFL flap to reconstruct large and complex head and neck defects. Materials and Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted of all microvascular head and neck reconstructions performed by the Maxillofacial Tumor and Reconstructive Surgery Service at the University of Miami/Jackson Health System (Miami, FL) from 2013 through 2016. Inclusion criteria for the study were head and neck defects at least 20 m × 10 cm and reconstruction with soft tissue flaps using perforating vasculature to the TFL and ALT vascular territories. Other study data included disease history, location of defect, flap size, recipient vessels, harvest time, ischemia time, surgical complications, and overall flap survival. Results Seven patients met the inclusion criteria. Five patients were treated for the diagnosis of stage III osteoradionecrosis and 2 patients underwent reconstruction in conjunction with ablative surgery for head and neck carcinoma. All 7 patients underwent successful head and neck reconstructions using the ALT-TFL flap. There was no partial or total flap failure. One patient had a wound healing complication at the donor site that did not require surgical intervention. Conclusion Reconstruction of a large head and neck soft tissue defect with a combined ALT-TFL flap is a reliable method with minimal donor site morbidity and no major postoperative complications. This combined flap should be considered when the defect size extends beyond the bounds allowed by the ALT flap alone.
AB - Purpose The advent of microvascular free tissue transfer has provided the reconstructive surgeon with an enormous array of treatment options for reconstruction of large head and neck defects. However, when indicated by defect size, the need for more than 1 flap not only increases surgical complexity but also patient morbidity. The combination of the anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap and the tensor fascia latae (TFL) flap can be used to reconstruct such complex head and neck defects, thereby minimizing any additional morbidity that would be imposed by an additional flap harvest site. The present study reports on the use of the combined ALT-TFL flap to reconstruct large and complex head and neck defects. Materials and Methods A retrospective chart review was conducted of all microvascular head and neck reconstructions performed by the Maxillofacial Tumor and Reconstructive Surgery Service at the University of Miami/Jackson Health System (Miami, FL) from 2013 through 2016. Inclusion criteria for the study were head and neck defects at least 20 m × 10 cm and reconstruction with soft tissue flaps using perforating vasculature to the TFL and ALT vascular territories. Other study data included disease history, location of defect, flap size, recipient vessels, harvest time, ischemia time, surgical complications, and overall flap survival. Results Seven patients met the inclusion criteria. Five patients were treated for the diagnosis of stage III osteoradionecrosis and 2 patients underwent reconstruction in conjunction with ablative surgery for head and neck carcinoma. All 7 patients underwent successful head and neck reconstructions using the ALT-TFL flap. There was no partial or total flap failure. One patient had a wound healing complication at the donor site that did not require surgical intervention. Conclusion Reconstruction of a large head and neck soft tissue defect with a combined ALT-TFL flap is a reliable method with minimal donor site morbidity and no major postoperative complications. This combined flap should be considered when the defect size extends beyond the bounds allowed by the ALT flap alone.
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U2 - 10.1016/j.joms.2016.12.025
DO - 10.1016/j.joms.2016.12.025
M3 - Article
C2 - 28063278
AN - SCOPUS:85017443476
SN - 0278-2391
VL - 75
SP - 1743
EP - 1751
JO - Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
JF - Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
IS - 8
ER -