Free anterolateral thigh flap versus free forearm flap: Functional results in oral reconstruction

Nowadays, microsurgery performed for oral reconstruction of cancer patients, has become the standard treatment in restoring oral functions. The free radial forearm flap (FRFF) is stilt apparently the first reconstructive choice in oral cavity cancers. Recently the anterotateraL thigh flap (ALTF) seemed to challenge the superiority of FRFF. The tack of functional data on which to base this recent supposition is the reason for this new research. Twenty reconstructed patients were enrolled for this study. Speech, swallowing, and donor site complications were studied to assess differences between the two techniques. Results show that difference in function between ALTF and FRFF groups is statistically insignificant. Donor site risks and complications seem to be the only variables among groups. These variables may be used as indicators when making a surgical choice. (c) 2007 British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.