Chimeric Anterolateral Thigh Flap for Primary Functional Reconstruction of Complex, Composite Near Total Hemi Facial Post Excision Defects.

INTRODUCTION: Microvascular free tissue transfer has revolutionized the management of complex composite head and neck defects.

AIM: To evaluate the functional and aesthetic outcomes in the primary reconstruction of post-excisional near total hemifacial defects with the chimeric anterolateral thigh flaps (cALT).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The author as a prelude to this clinical study has done a cadaveric study on the quadriceps artery angiosome. In this retrospective cohort study, data are collected from the records of 6 patients who had undergone primary cALT flap reconstruction for their post excisional near total hemifacial defects from January 2013 to December 2017. All 6 patients with various advanced malignancies involving the hemiface underwent wide local excision. Wide local excision resulted in the loss of skin and critical facial muscles that led to near total hemiface composite defects. Reconstructions were done with the cALT flaps that included segment of the vastus lateralis muscle harvested on its independent neurovascular perforator pedicle and the skin paddle on a separate perforator. In all cases, the facial nerve stumps were anastomosed to the nerve to vastus lateralis for reanimation of the face. In addition, 4 patients underwent primary radical neck dissection, but all had postoperative radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

RESULTS: All patients attained well-pronounced nasolabial fold, symmetrical smile, and good oral competence in an average period of 10.75 months post operatively. In an average of 22 months follow up, none of them had locoregional recurrences. None required any secondary procedures.

CONCLUSION: In the post excisional near total hemifacial composite defects, primary functional reconstruction with tailored cALT flaps can bring good aesthetic and functional results.