Reconstruction of full-thickness cheek after cancer resection using free radialforearm flap

Aim. Reconstruction of full-thickness cheek after cancer resection is a major surgical challenge. This study presents results of full-thickness cheek reconstruction using folded free radial forearm flap. Material and methods. Folded free radial forearm flap was used in 10 patients after extensive resection of full-thick-nes cheek, usually with additional resection of surrounding tissues (lip, angle of mouth) and with neck or suprahyoid lymph node dissection. Microsurgical venous anastomoses were performed to the external jugular vein, and arterial – to the facial or superior thyroid artery. Results. Vascularity of free was good in all cases, one revision of venous anastomosis was required. The final esthetic and functional result was satisfactory. Conclusion. Folded free radial forearm flap is a valuable alternative for reconstruction of full-thickness cheek after cancer resection.

[1]  M. Cheng,et al.  Reconstruction of Through‐and‐Through Cheek Defects Involving the Oral Commissure, Using Chimeric Flaps from the Thigh Lateral Femoral Circumflex System , 2002, Plastic and reconstructive surgery.

[2]  T. Şafak,et al.  Primary one-stage reconstruction of cheek defect after a shotgun blast to the face: use of the latissimus dorsi musculocutaneous free flap for soft-tissue repair and facial reanimation. , 2001, Annals of plastic surgery.

[3]  P. Cordeiro,et al.  The radial forearm fasciocutaneous free-tissue transfer for tracheostomy reconstruction. , 1996, Plastic and reconstructive surgery.

[4]  K. Motegi,et al.  Full-thickness reconstruction of cheek defect involving oral commissure with forearm tendinocutaneous flap. , 1996, The British journal of oral & maxillofacial surgery.

[5]  D. Savant,et al.  Folded free radial forearm flap for reconstruction of full‐thickness defects of the cheek , 1995, Head & neck.

[6]  A. Thoma,et al.  The Fate of the Osteotomized Free Radial Forearm Osteocutaneous Flap in Mandible Reconstruction , 1995, Journal of reconstructive microsurgery.

[7]  T. Sugihara,et al.  Cheek reconstruction with an expanded prefabricated musculocutaneous free flap: case report. , 1995, British journal of plastic surgery.

[8]  H. Kurita,et al.  Reconstruction of the lips, oral commissure, and full-thickness cheek with a composite radial forearm palmaris longus free flap. , 1994, Annals of plastic surgery.

[9]  R. Weber,et al.  Intraoral soft tissue reconstruction after cancer ablation: a comparison of the pectoralis major flap and the free radial forearm flap. , 1991, American journal of surgery.

[10]  D. Hidalgo,et al.  Full-thickness cheek and lip reconstruction with the radial forearm free flap. , 1990, Annals of plastic surgery.

[11]  N. Niranjan,et al.  Reconstruction of the cheek using a "suspended" radial forearm free flap. , 1990, British journal of plastic surgery.

[12]  J. Meyza,et al.  The "double faced" pectoralis major island flap. A valuable alternative in full-thickness cheek reconstruction. , 1990, Journal of cranio-maxillo-facial surgery : official publication of the European Association for Cranio-Maxillo-Facial Surgery.

[13]  E. Towpik,et al.  Reconstruction of full-thickness cheek defects after cancer surgery. , 1987, European journal of surgical oncology : the journal of the European Society of Surgical Oncology and the British Association of Surgical Oncology.

[14]  J. Boorman,et al.  A split Chinese forearm flap for simultaneous oral lining and skin cover. , 1986, British journal of plastic surgery.

[15]  D. Soutar,et al.  The radial forearm flap: A versatile method for intra‐oral reconstruction , 1984 .

[16]  D. P. Atkinson,et al.  Modified bilobular ("gemini") pectoralis major myocutaneous flap. , 1982, American journal of surgery.

[17]  J. Mulliken,et al.  The Evolution of Techniques for Reconstruction of Full‐Thickness Cheek Defects , 1982, Plastic and reconstructive surgery.

[18]  K. Harii,et al.  Closure of total cheek defects with two combined myocutaneous free flaps. , 1982, Archives of otolaryngology.

[19]  J. Shah.  Folded forehead flap for reconstruction of full-thickness defects of the cheek. , 1980, Head & neck surgery.

[20]  S. Ariyan.  The Pectoralis Major Myocutaneous Flap A Versatile Flap for Reconstruction in the Head and Neck , 1979, Plastic and reconstructive surgery.

[21]  D. W. Becker.  A cervicopectoral rotation flap for cheek coverage. , 1978, Plastic and reconstructive surgery.

[22]  I. McGregor,et al.  SIMULTANEOUS TEMPORAL AND DELTO-PECTORAL FLAPS FOR FULL-THICKNESS DEFECTS OF THE CHEEK , 1970, Plastic and reconstructive surgery.