Use of the Ipsilateral Anteromedial Thigh Flap for Immediate Rescue of Nonviable Anterolateral Thigh Flaps in Head and Neck Cancer Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: It is not always possible to use the anatomically variable free anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap for reconstructive surgery. An anteromedial thigh (AMT) flap serves as a good alternative, and shares the same vascular pedicle as the ALT flap.

METHODS: Of 698 reconstructions performed in 2006 to 2013 following head and neck tumor ablation surgery, ALT flaps were used in 653 patients. Eighteen free AMT flaps were harvested to replace variant nonviable ALT flaps.

RESULTS: The lack of a sizable perforator in the ALT flap territory was the main reason for changing the reconstruction plan. Anteromedial thigh flap size ranged from 10 × 4 to 30 × 8 cm. The flap survival rate was 100%. The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 56 months.

CONCLUSION: During head and neck reconstruction, when no sizable perforator is available during harvest of the ALT flap, successful reconstruction can be achieved using the ipsilateral AMT flap without additional donor-site morbidity.