1. Utility of the lateral arm free flap in oral cavity reconstruction: a single-centre experience with Chinese patients.
- Author
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Jia MQ, Zou HX, Xiong XP, Ma SR, Yu S, Wei LL, and Jia J
- Subjects
- Arm, Esthetics, Dental, Humans, Mouth, Free Tissue Flaps, Plastic Surgery Procedures
- Abstract
The lateral arm flap (LAF) may offer an alternative option for oral cavity repair. Twenty-five Chinese patients with oral cavity defects were reconstructed with a LAF. The anatomical characteristics of the flap, the donor site complications, and the functional and aesthetic assessments of recipient site were reviewed. The overall flap survival was 96.0% (24/25patients). The average pedicle length was 7.07±1.09cm when it was cut off at the insert of the deltoid, with an average arterial diameter of 1.30±0.37mm and vein diameter of 2.06±0.48mm. The average flap length was 7.06±1.01cm, and the average flap breadth was 5.28±0.66cm, with the average flap size ranging from 18 to 42cm
2 . One to three reliable perforators supplied the flap, with the proximal, middle, and distal perforators being located at 9.9±1.1cm, 8.6±1.4cm, and 5.7±1.2cm from the lateral epicondyle, respectively. The donor defect was closed primarily and healed uneventfully. A longitudinal scar was the most common morbidity of the donor site. The function and shape of the reconstructed tissues were well restored. The LAF provides a reliable choice for reconstructing medium-sized oral cavity defects, with minimal donor-site morbidity and ideally functional and aesthetic rehabilitation of the recipient site., (Copyright © 2020 International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)- Published
- 2020
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