Soft Tissue Mandibula and Tongue Reconstruction Using A Suprafascial, Folded, Deepithelialized Antero-Lateral Thigh Perforator Free Flap

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the most frequent carcinoma of the head and neck region. For coverage of an entire resected mandible with floor of the mouth, 3/4 of the tongue and soft tissue of cheeks and neck bony reconstruction of the mandible and soft tissue reconstruction of tongue, cheeks and a neck large flap are needed. A patient with a superinfected T4 HNSCC was presented to our outpatient clinic. Complete resection of the mandible, bilateral neck dissection and 3/4 resection of the tongue were performed. A complex reconstruction using two free flaps was not feasable, so a large, folded, suprafascial Antero Lateral Thigh Perforator (ALTP) flap for immediate soft tissue reconstruction was used. Because of the anatomy, no reconstruction plate was inserted. On postop day 11, an understandable speaking was possible using a speach canula. Swallowing was possible without regurgitation. Eight months postoperatively, the patients mimic and closure of the mouth were satisfactory. The flap was viable throughout the entire time. It was shown that the suprafascial ALTP flap was a versatile part in the armamentarium for complex mandible soft tissue reconstruction.