Lateral Arm Free Flap for Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Reconstruction

Tae, Kyung; Lee, Hyung Seok; Jang, Young Ho; Park, Chul Won; Ahn, Hee Chang

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The aims of reconstruction after removal of head and neck cancer are restoration of function and aesthetics. Local flap is ideal for small size defect of head and neck and pedicled myocutaneous flap or distant flap have been used for medium or large size defect. But free flap reconstruction now is commonly used according to diversity of factors for reconstruction.
OBJECTIVE
There are some kinds of free flap such as radial forearm free flap, scapular free flap, jejunal free flap, latissimus dorsi free flap, and rectus abdominis free flap. Lateral arm free flap have been occasionally reported in orthopedic operation but recently reported in head and neck and not reported in Korea. Thus we analysed outcome and advantage of lateral arm free flap. MATERIAL AND METHOD: We have been using lateral arm free flap to reconstruct patients from Dec. 1995 to Sep. 1996 which are included 6 patients who were seen with malignant lesions involving oral cavity and oropharynx. RESULT: 6 Patients included palatal cancer(1), tongue cancer(3), and tongue base cancer(2). All patients had been used lateral arm free flap for reconstruction. And they did not experience major complication.
CONCLUSION
The lateral arm free flap is thin, pliable, and can be used as a sensate flap. It does not require the sacrificing of a major vessel to the arm and excellent cosmetic result can be achieved when the wound is closed primarily. So we think that the lateral arm free flap is an excellent method for medium sized head and neck reconstruction.