Double anterior (anterolateral and anteromedial) thigh flap for oral perforated defect reconstruction

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to assess the therapeutic efficacy of oral perforated defect reconstruction with a double anterior (anterolateral and anteromedial) thigh flap through the modified lateral lip-submandibular approach.Materials and methodsFrom July 2010 to August 2013, eight patients with oral perforated defects secondary to oral cancer ablation involving the superior partial mandible or the posterior partial maxilla, with immediate reconstruction by double anterior (anterolateral and anteromedial) thigh flaps, were retrospectively enrolled into this study.ResultsAll double anterior flaps were musculocutaneous flaps. Seven double flaps resulted in good functional and aesthetic outcomes with complete flap survival. One patient required operative exploration in the postoperative period due to thrombosis in the external jugular vein. After the salvage, one of the double flaps in the intraoral region resulted in partial failure of the superficial skin of the flap. No functional impairment at the donor sites occurred in any of the cases.ConclusionThe double anterior (anterolateral and anteromedial) thigh flap is a feasible and acceptable technique for reconstruction of an oral perforated defect involving the mandible or the maxilla through the modified lateral lip-submandibular approach. It presents a very acceptable aesthetic and functional result with the additional advantage of low morbidity at the donor site.