The unique and valuable soft tissue free flap in head and neck reconstruction: Lateral arm

Outcomes for 160 Consecutive Lateral Arm Free Flaps for Head and Neck Reconstruction

OBJECTIVE

Examine outcomes for lateral arm autologous tissue transfer in head and neck reconstruction.

STUDY DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

Tertiary cancer center.

METHODS

All patients who underwent traditional lateral arm, extended lateral arm, and lateral forearm flaps for head and neck reconstruction from 2012 to 2022 were assessed. Disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) was measured. Factors associated with complications and enteral or mixed diet were evaluated by multivariable regression.

RESULTS

Among 160 patients followed for a median of 2.3 ± 2.1 years, defects were 54% oral tongue, 18% external, 9% maxilla, 8% buccal mucosa, 9% floor of mouth, and 3% pharynx. Flap types (and median pedicle lengths) were 41% traditional lateral arm (8 cm), 25% extended lateral arm (11.5 cm), and 34% lateral forearm (14 cm). All donor sites were closed primarily; 19.6% and 0% of patients had increased DASH scores 2 and 12 weeks after reconstruction. Major complications occurred in 18.1% of patients, including 6.3% reoperation, 6.9% readmission, 3.7% fistula, and 1.8% flap loss. Complications were independently associated with peripheral vascular disease (odds ratio [OR]: 5.71, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.5-21.6, P = .01), pharyngeal defects (OR: 11.3, 95% CI: 1.4-94.5, P = .025), and interposition vein grafts (OR: 3.78, 95% CI: 1.1-13.3, P = .037).

CONCLUSION

The lateral arm free flap was safe, versatile, and reliable for head and neck reconstruction with low donor-site morbidity. Complications occurred in a fifth of patients and were associated with peripheral vascular disease, pharyngeal defects, and vein grafts.

Versatility and outcomes of lateral arm free flap in head and neck reconstruction: a retrospective case series study of our experiences and innovations

OBJECTIVES

The Lateral Arm Free Flap (LAFF) offers advantageous features like variable thickness and minimal hair growth. LAFF is primarily used in orofacial and pharyngeal reconstructions, with limited reports on tracheal/esophageal applications. Also, the psychological prognosis and quality of life in patients with LAFF reconstruction are lacking.

METHODS

This retrospective case series presents outcomes of LAFF reconstruction for head and neck surgical defects which included 19 patients. The disease type, location of reconstruction, TNM staging, tumor size, chemoradiation status, anxiety, depression, quality of life and detailed perioperative information of the LAFF reconstruction surgery were presented in a descriptive pattern. Subgroup analysis was conducted using Mann-Whitney U and Pearson r test.

RESULTS

All 19 patients (100%) had a viable flap after surgery with 5 (26.3%) of them developed flap-related complication. Patients with oropharyngeal reconstruction were more likely to have lower anxiety and depression score and higher quality of life than those with below-oropharyngeal reconstruction. However, no significant p-value was generated in any subgroup comparison or correlation test. And the application of LAFF in esophageal and tracheal reconstruction was proved to be successful.

CONCLUSIONS

The lateral arm free flap exhibits remarkable versatility and multifunctionality, providing advantageous outcomes in head and neck reconstruction.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level 4 according to OCEBM.

Free Flap Donor Sites in Head and Neck Reconstruction

Microvascular free tissue transfer, also referred to as free flaps surgery, is a reconstructive technique that has become a foundational component of complex head and neck reconstruction. There have been considerable advancements in the field over the last 30 years including the number and variety of free flaps. Each of these free flaps has unique characteristics that must be considered for the defect when selecting a donor site. Here, the authors focus on the most common free flaps used in head and neck reconstruction.

Ossification of the Vascular Pedicle After Microsurgical Soft Tissue Transfer of the Lateral Upper Arm Free Flap

Reconstruction of intraoral defects is one of the main aspects of head and neck cancer treatment. Since the advent of microvascular surgery in this field, free flap tissue transfer has become a common procedure, and various flaps have been described for soft tissue reconstruction. The lateral upper arm free flap is one of the most frequently used flaps for intraoral defect coverage. This article describes ossification of the corresponding vascular pedicle after soft tissue transfer with the lateral upper arm free flap and microsurgical anastomosis in oral cancer treatment. Similar findings in the context of the lateral upper arm free flap have never been reported in the literature; however, it is important for surgeons to know that pedicle ossification can occur. This knowledge may be helpful to avoid erroneous diagnosis of the ossification as a sign of tumor relapse/recurrence as well as to anticipate potential difficulties in the surgical approach in cases requiring reentry of the reconstructed region, for example, in relapse/recurrence of head and neck cancer.

Clinical management of squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue: patients not eligible for free flaps, a systematic review of the literature

INTRODUCTION

The management of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue represents the most demanding treatment planning in head and neck surgery. Ablation followed by free flap reconstruction is considered the gold standard, but not all patients are suitable for this strategy. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive view of surgical reconstruction possibilities in patients not eligible for free flaps.

METHODS

Following PRISMA recommendations, a systematic literature review was conducted searching for original papers that investigated outcomes of patients treated by surgical ablation for tongue SCC followed by reconstruction with local or pedicled flaps. Selected papers were read and data extracted for qualitative analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty articles met the inclusion/exclusion criteria. The study design was case series in sixteen papers, cohort study in the remaining four. Four different local flaps (BMM, FAMM, NLIF, SMIF) and four regional flaps have been discussed in included studies (IHF, SFIF, SCM, PMMC).

CONCLUSION

The improved anatomical knowledge makes local flaps a reliable alternative to free tissue transfer in cases requiring small-/medium-sized defects. Regional flaps still represent cornerstones in reconstruction of the tongue. Ease of execution, costs-to-benefit ratio, low-rate complications, minimal donor site morbidity represent the best advantages choosing local/regional flaps.

The lateral arm free flap for head and neck reconstruction

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The aim of this study was to review the recent literature on the utilization of the lateral arm free flap use in head and neck reconstruction.

RECENT FINDINGS

The lateral arm free flap provides a reliable fasciocutaneous free tissue transfer option ideally suited for reconstruction of the oral cavity, pharynx and parotid. Primary donor site closure, compartmentalized fat and excellent colour match make it an excellent option for head and neck reconstruction. Donor site morbidity is low, and the primary limitation is the short and narrow vascular pedicle.

SUMMARY

The lateral arm free flap should be considered in cases of oral cavity and skin reconstruction, particularly in cases wherein pedicle length is not restrictive.

Chimeric Lateral Arm Free Flap to Treat Pharyngocutaneous Fistula After Total Laryngectomy

Pharyngocutaneous fistula is a major complication after total laryngectomy, leading to a severe adverse impact for the patient and social activity. The reported incidence ranges from 9% to 25% in the last decade. In this paper, the authors present our experience using chimeric lateral arm free flap for reconstruction of the pharyngo-esophageal segment. Eight patients with pharyngocutaneous fistula were treated with this technique. The flap has 2 skin islands, each one supplied by a perforator coming from the main pedicle. One skin island is used as a patch for pharynx closure and the other is used for anterior soft tissue coverage. The follow-up period ranged from 8 months to 3 years. All flaps survived. There was 1 small fistula that was sutured. External skin wound dehiscence was present in 1 case and it was secondary closed by itself. All patients were able to eat by mouth and there were no signs of stricture. The authors preferred this type of flap because both defects are simultaneously closed and each skin paddle is supplied by a perforator coming from the main pedicle. It has a better color match than other free flaps. The skin island is thin and remains thin even after the patients gain weight.