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 ... -  《-》

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 ... -  《-》

One-Stage Bilateral Severe Trismus Reconstruction: Simultaneous Utilization of Free Anterolateral Thigh and Tensor Fascia Latae Flaps From a Single Donor Thigh: Report of Three Cases.

Ye JS ，Benjamin NKL ，Ramachandran S ，Wang YC ，Chang CW ，Kuo YR ... -  《-》

Tripaddled Anterolateral Thigh Flap for the Reconstruction of Extensively Full-Thickness Cheek Defects by Stacking Two Skin Paddles as Kiss Pattern.

Wang F ，Pradhan P ，Li N ，Jiang C ，Liu W ，Zeng L ... -  《-》

Free flap reconstruction after surgical release of oral submucous fibrosis: long-term maintenance and its clinical implications.

Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) is an insidious disease with progressive limitation of mouth opening and potential malignant change of the oral mucosa. Cancer surveillance is of utmost importance, but it is often limited by severe trismus. Surgical release and free flap reconstruction is effective but its long-term efficacy has not been completely established. This work aims to review our experience in the past 15 years in surgical release of OSF-related trismus followed by free flap reconstruction. Patient's age, gender, smoking history, drinking history and betel-nut consumption history were retrieved. Surgical release and reconstructive procedures were detailed. Inter-incisor distances (IIDs) were measured preoperatively (PO-IID), intra-operatively after maximal release (IO-IID) and during the last follow-up (FU-IID). Subsequent development of oral cancers (oral squamous cell carcinoma, OSCC) and relevant details were documented. Potential predictors of long-term IID gain were analysed. A total of 92 patients were included in our study. There was a significant difference (p = 0.000) in PO-IID (13.8 ± 6.6 mm) and FU-IID (27.2 ± 8.8 mm) indicating the long-term efficacy of the release procedure. The mean long-term IID gain was 13.0 ± 7.5 mm. Bilateral coronoidectomy resulted in a greater degree of intra-operative gain in IID (p = 0.025). PO-IID (r = -0.277, p = 0.001) and intra-operative gain in IID (r = 0.198, p = 0.001) were found to be predictive of long-term IID gain. Ten patients (11%) developed OSCC during our study period. Aggressive surgical release (with bilateral coronoidectomy if necessary) followed by free flap reconstruction is an effective treatment for OSF-related trismus. Our study has confirmed its long-term efficacy and its important role in cancer surveillance.

Chan RC ，Wei FC ，Tsao CK ，Kao HK ，Chang YM ，Tsai CY ，Chen WH ... -  《-》