Simultaneous reconstruction of head and neck defects following tumor resection and trismus release with a single anterolateral thigh donor site utilizing a lateral approach to flap harvest.

BACKGROUND: An anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap has gradually become the workhorse flap of reconstructions at different anatomical locations because of its reliability and versatility. In this study, we introduced the concepts: one is the ALT flap harvest from a lateral approach and the other is the reconstruction of extensive head and neck defects with a single ALT donor site.

METHODS: A lateral approach ALT flap was harvested in 13 patients who had buccal cancer and/or tumors of the lower lip combined with buccal trismus. Three types of ALT flaps (type I: two skin paddles, one pedicle; type II: two skin paddles, two pedicles; type III: one skin paddle, one pedicle) were used in one-stage reconstructions of these extensive head and neck defects.

RESULTS: In our series, there were four type I, five type II, and four type III flaps. All flaps survived and no major postoperative complication occurred. Four of the 13 donor sites were repaired with a split-thickness skin graft harvested from the contralateral thigh. The immediate interincisor distance increase was 21.4 and 16.5 mm at 1-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS: Different types of ALT flap from a single donor site can be designed by means of a lateral approach; and the satisfactory results of reconstruction for extensive head and neck defects following the tumor resection and trismus release can be achieved.