Clinical effect of anterolateral thigh flap repair on postoperative defects in oral malignant tumors

To investigate the clinical efficacy of anterolateral thigh flap(ALTF) repair on postoperative soft tissue defects in oral malignant tumors.

The clinical data of 136 oral malignant tumor patients at the Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital from June 2017 to February 2019 were collected. All the patients had undergone enlarged tumor resection, and the defects were repaired simultaneously by ALTF. The flap survival rate and occurrence of postoperative complications were analyzed, and related functions were evaluated.

The flap survival rate was 97.1% (132/136). Diabetes and the operation time were related to inactivation of the anterolateral thigh flap (P < 0.05). Fifty-three patients (40.0%) had systemic complications, and 38 patients (27.9%) had complications in the operation area, among which the pulmonary infection rate was the highest (28.6%). One year after the operation, 52 patients (38.2%) scored 10 points in language function evaluation. The mouth opening score of 58 patients (42.6%) was 10 points, and the swallowing function score of 82 patients (60.3%) was 10 points.

ALTF is an ideal free flap to repair soft tissue defects in oral and maxillofacial malignant tumors after resection, with a high survival rate, small donor injury and good postoperative recovery of relevant functions.