[Comparison of lateral arm flap and radial forearm flap in reconstruction after oral cancer ablation].

OBJECTIVE

To compare the clinical application of lateral arm flap and radial forearm flap in reconstruction after oral cancer ablation.

METHODS

The clinical data of 21 cases with lateral arm flap and 104 cases with radial forearm flap between 2007 and 2009 were reviewed. The flap harvest time, flap survival rate, donor site morbidity and postoperative oral function were compared and analyzed.

RESULTS

The average flap harvest time of lateral arm flap and radial forearm flap were (46.4±7.6) min and (41.5±7.5) min (x±s) respectively. The flap survival rates of the two flaps were 90.5% (19/21) and 95.2% (99/104) respectively. There was no significant difference between the two flaps in the average flap harvest time and survival rate (P>0.05). The donor site of lateral arm flap could be primarily closed and radial nerve injury occurred in 2 patients. Skin graft was necessary for the donor site closure of radial forearm flap and conspicuous unattractive scar could be seen. All patients could have oral diet and no difficulty in speech intelligibility.

CONCLUSION

The lateral arm flap is relatively safe and reliable alterative to the radial forearm flap for the defects reconstruction after oral cancer ablation.