Computed tomography angiography-aided individualized anterolateral thigh flap design in the reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial soft tissue defects.

PURPOSE

To evaluate a novel method and computed tomography angiography (CTA) for locating anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF) perforators to design individualized ALTFs to reconstruct maxillofacial soft tissue defects.

STUDY DESIGN

This study comprised a group of 36 patients (CTA group) with malignant oral and maxillofacial tumors who underwent CTA and who received individualized ALTFs and a group of 28 patients (control group) with the same condition but without preoperative CTA examination and with nonindividualized ALTFs. ALTFs in the CTA group were designed and harvested using the locating device and CTA, whereas ALTFs in the control group were designed and harvested according to each surgeon's experience.

RESULTS

Fifty perforators were located and 36 ALTFs harvested in the CTA group. In the control group, 34 perforators were located and 28 ALTFs harvested. Less time was required to locate the perforators in the CTA group. Moreover, the CTA group had a higher flap survival rate and better patient satisfaction regarding the postoperative aesthetics and phonetic and swallowing functions.

CONCLUSIONS

The results suggest that CTA and the locating device can be used to accurately locate ALTF perforators and that this method aids in the design and harvesting of individualized ALTFs to achieve good functional and aesthetic outcomes.