Evaluation of the value of free anterolateral thigh flap in repairing postoperative defects of parotid gland malignant tumors

doi:10.19438/j.cjoms.2023.06.003

Abstract

Abstract: PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of free anterolateral thigh(ALT) flap for repairing postoperative defects in parotid gland malignant tumors. METHODS: Twelve patients who underwent repair of postoperative defects in parotid gland malignant tumors using ALT flap were admitted in Xuzhou Central Hospital from January 2019 to December 2022. The ALT flap was designed and prepared based on the area and shape of the parotid gland defect to repair tissue defect after tumor resection. The patient's flap survival, appearance recovery, facial expression muscle function on the affected side, and patient satisfaction after surgery were observed. SPSS 20.0 software package was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: All the flaps survived smoothly and the defects were effectively repaired. There was no significant difference in thickness or color between the flap and the surrounding skin tissue, no traction or asymmetry one month after surgery. The appearance and functional repair effect were satisfactory, with a satisfaction rate of 83.33%. Nine patients had weakened facial expression muscle function on the affected side after surgery, while three patients had symptoms of facial paralysis before surgery had no improvement in facial expression muscle function on the affected side after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The ALT flap for repairing postoperative defects in parotid gland malignant tumors has satisfactory results, and the donor site is concealed with minimal self trauma, therefore, it is worthy of clinical application. However, after surgery for parotid gland malignant tumors, the facial expression muscles on the affected side were denervated, and personalized design and repair with a free ALT flap did not significantly improve the function of the facial expression muscles on the affected side.

Key words: Anterolateral thigh flap, Tissue defects restoration, Malignant tumors of the parotid gland

CLC Number:

R782.2

GE Liang-yu, SHAO Cui-ling, WANG Shou-peng, CHEN Lin, LI Zhi-ping, GU Qian-ping, MENG Jian. Evaluation of the value of free anterolateral thigh flap in repairing postoperative defects of parotid gland malignant tumors[J]. China Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, 2023, 21(6): 548-552.

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