Two small flaps from one anterolateral thigh donor site for bilateral buccal mucosa reconstruction after release of submucous fibrosis and/or contracture.

Oral submucous fibrosis causes health-related and social problems for affected patients. Free flap reconstruction has proved effective for maintaining mouth opening after release of fibrosis. Two independent free flaps from separate donor sites, such as bilateral forearm flaps or bilateral anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps, were traditionally required for reconstruction. The former option sacrifices one of the two major arteries in the forearm. Both options are time consuming and required two donor sites. To eliminate these disadvantages, we developed a technical modification that allows harvesting of two independent flaps from one ALT thigh based on one descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery (d-LCFA). Eighteen flaps from nine donor sites were harvested for post-release reconstruction of oral submucous fibrosis. Mean flap size was 4.1 x 7.5 cm, mean pedicle length was 7.6 cm, mean ischaemia time was 104 min and mean total operation time was 13 h and 19 min. All donor sites were closed primarily, with one exception. One flap failed and was replaced with a contralateral ALT flap. One patient developed a wound infection and another developed a seroma at the recipient site. Four flaps required secondary de-bulking in three patients. The improvement in mouth opening was evaluated by inter-incisor distance (IID): mean preoperative IID was 9.6mm (range: 0-20mm), mean follow-up time was 16.2 months (range: 10-33 months); mean postoperative IID was 23.8mm and mean improvement in IID was 15.3mm (range: 10-27 mm). In conclusion, two independent flaps can be harvested from d-LCFA of the same thigh, instead of from both thighs, to reconstruct bilateral buccal defects after release of submucous fibrosis and/or contracture.

Huang JJ ，Wallace C ，Lin JY ，Tsao CK ，Kao HK ，Huang WC ，Cheng MH ，Wei FC ... -  《-》

Reconstruction of the buccal mucosa following release for submucous fibrosis using two radial forearm flaps from a single donor site.

Oral submucous fibrosis is a collagen disorder affecting the submucosal layer and can severely limit mouth opening. The use of bilateral forearm flaps to fill buccal defects following trismus release has proven to be effective and reliable. However, it requires the sacrifice of radial arteries from both forearms. We have developed a technique that allows for the harvest of two independent flaps from a single forearm donor site. Two separate flaps are designed on the same radial artery and concomitant vein pedicle. The distal flap is marked in the standard fashion and the proximal skin paddle is designed in the middle third of the forearm, based on septocutaneous branches of the radial artery. The two flaps are elevated and subsequently divided into two independent free flaps. Between June 2004 and June 2007, a total of 16 flaps were harvested from eight donor sites for buccal mucosa defects following trismus release. Improvements in mouth opening and buccal pliancy were evaluated by comparing preoperative and postoperative inter-incisal distance (IID) and maximal mouth capacity. All flaps survived completely, and all donor sites were closed primarily, except for one. The mean flap size was 6.6x2.6cm (range: 6x2.5cm-7x3cm), mean pedicle length was 5.7cm, mean ischaemia time was 46min and mean total operating time was 8h 45min. At an average of 19.8 months follow-up, the inter-incisal distance averaged 29.13mm, an increase of 20.88mm compared with the preoperative measurement. The maximal mouth capacity averaged 55.63cc, an increase of 9.38cc compared with the preoperative measurement. Two independent small flaps can be harvested safely from one radial forearm donor site. This approach is a useful option for reconstruction of bilateral buccal defects, particularly following submucous fibrosis release. The donor-site morbidity is minimal and limited to one forearm.

Tsao CK ，Wei FC ，Chang YM ，Cheng MH ，Chwei-Chin Chuang D ，Kao HK ，Dayan JH ... -  《-》

Tripaddled anterolateral thigh flap for simultaneous reconstruction of bilateral buccal defects after buccal cancer ablation and severe oral submucous fibrosis release: a case report.

For buccal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) patients accompanied with severe oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), it is a challenge to simultaneously reconstruct bilateral buccal defects created from cancer resection and contralateral OSF release to improve postoperative mouth opening. Herein, we present a case of reconstruction of bilateral buccal defects in a 46-year-old patient who had left buccal SCC accompanied with severe OSF. Extensive ablation involved the left full-thickness cheek as well as part of mandible and a release of right OSF tissue were performed. A tripaddled anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap with three independent sets of perforators was harvested for reconstruction. The flap survived in its entirety. No donor or recipient site complication occurred. The preoperative inter-incisor distance (IID) was 1 mm, while the postoperative IID was 23 mm. This is the first report on the use of one tripaddled ALT flap for reconstruction of bilateral buccal defects created from cancer ablation and severe contralateral OSF release.

Jiang C ，Guo F ，Li N ，Huang P ，Jian X ，Munnee K ... -  《-》

Using the descending branch of the lateral femoral circumflex vessel as a source of two independent flaps.

Chou EK ，Ulusal B ，Ulusal A ，Wei FC ，Lin CH ，Tsao CK ... -  《-》

Bipaddled radial forearm flap for the reconstruction of bilateral buccal defects in oral submucous fibrosis.

Lee JT ，Cheng LF ，Chen PR ，Wang CH ，Hsu H ，Chien SH ，Wei FC ... -  《-》