Anterolateral thigh free flap for the reconstruction of through and through defect of cheek following cancer ablation

• Main Authors: Sanjay Rastogi, Bipin Patwardhan, Amit Gulati, Muhamad Nishad Thayath
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2012-01-01
• Series: Indian Journal of Dental Research
• Subjects: Anterolateral thigh flap; cancer; cheek reconstruction; free flap reconstruction
• Online Access: http://www.ijdr.in/article.asp?issn=0970-9290;year=2012;volume=23;issue=2;spage=275;epage=278;aulast=Rastogi
• ISSN: 0970-9290; 1998-3603

The anterolateral thigh flap is a highly versatile and reliable flap for use in the reconstruction of various soft-tissue defects of the head and neck. This flap has gained great popularity due to its versatility, ability for a two-team approach, and minimal donor site morbidity. However, it has not met the same enthusiasm in the armamentarium of Maxillofacial Surgeons due to its relative difficulty in perforator dissection, reported variations of the vascular anatomy, and the presumed increased thickness of the anterolateral thigh tissue. These obstacles may be overcome by increased surgical experience and by the ability to create a thinner suprafacial flap or thinning the flap after it has been obtained. We have described the versatility of this flap for the reconstruction of the through and through defect of cheek following cancer ablation along with difficulties in raising flap.