Volumetric changes of transferred free anterolateral thigh flaps in head and neck lesions. Issue 4 (August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kamizono, Ken-ichi; Yoshida, Sei; Yasumatsu, Ryuji; Kadota, Hideki
• Is Part Of: Auris nasus larynx. Volume 48:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 751
• Page End: 757
• Publication Date: 2021-08
• Subjects: Water-displacement method -- Radiographic 3D-measurement -- Affecting factors -- Long-term flap changes; Otolaryngology -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 616
• DOI: 10.1016/j.anl.2020.12.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0385-8146

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: The purpose of this study was to clarify sequential volumetric changes of anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps transferred to head and neck lesions. Patients and methods: We retrospectively analyzed volumetric changes in fat and muscle of 22 ALT flaps. We assessed "true" flap volume using the water-displacement method intraoperatively. Postoperative flap volume was assessed using three-dimensional volume-calculating software. Results: The average duration until the entire flap volume decreased to its minimal size was 8.7 months. After 8.7 months, entire flap volume decreased to 47.4% of its initial intraoperative volume. The fat volume decreased to 62.5%, and the muscle volume decreased to 30.2%. The rate of muscle volume decrease was significantly larger than that of fat volume decrease ( p <0.005). The only significant factor which affected entire flap volume decrease was the recipient site where the ALT flap was transferred (oral and pharyngeal lesions) ( p =0.001), and the factor that affected fat volume decrease was postoperative body-weight loss ( p =0.046). Conclusion: To minimize the influence of postoperative ALT flap volume decrease, an ALT flap should mainly comprise fatty tissue, and its size should be 1.6-times larger (100/62.5) than the ideal volume intraoperatively. Maintaining the body weight is crucial to avoid ALT flap volume decrease.