Sternocleidomastoid contour restoration: an added benefit of the anterolateral thigh free flap during facial reconstruction

PurposeTo demonstrate the potential of the anterolateral thigh free flap for neck contour restoration.Study designRetrospective chart review at a tertiary care medical center of patients who underwent radical parotidectomy with sternocleidomastoid sacrifice, with or without temporal bone resection, and reconstruction of both facial and cervical contour with the anterolateral thigh free flap between November 2011 and March 2015. Seven patients were included and demographics, flap viability, pathology and tumor staging, surgical intervention, adjunctive reanimation procedures, ischemia time, and pre-operative and post-operative photos were recorded and analyzed.ResultsThere were no flap failures and the mean ischemia time was 82 minutes. There were 2 recipient site complications. Post-operative neck symmetry was improved for all 7 patients.ConclusionsThe adipofascial anterolateral thigh flap is useful for improving the aesthetic contour of the neck among patients undergoing sternocleidomastoid muscle resection/disinsertion following total parotidectomy with/without temporal bone resection. Contour restoration may be performed with minimal added morbidity and with relatively little additional operative time. This technique may be adapted for other complex facial and neck defects caused by ablative surgery.Level of Evidence: 4