Comparison of Reconstruction of Maxilloalveolar Resections in Head and Neck Cancers with Chimeric Anterolateral Thigh Flap (ALT) versus Standard ALT Flap

Abstract

Background Oral malignancy that presents at a locally advanced stage needs complex surgical resections in which the maxillary cavity is usually left open. The constant maxillary secretions lead to problems like poor healing, fistula formation, and flap necrosis, causing longer hospital stays, delayed adjuvant therapy, and additional surgeries. Several methods have been tried to ameliorate this, each faced with its own difficulties. This study describes the use of chimeric free anterolateral thigh (ALT) with vastus lateralis (VL) muscle to tackle this problem.

Keywords

• maxilloalveolar resections
• chimeric flaps
• free anterolateral thigh flap
• head and neck cancer
• head and neck reconstruction