Monitoring a free anterolateral thigh flap for pharyngeal reconstruction |
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Authors: | Tor‐Wo Chiu Wai‐Hang Chung Alexander Chris Vlantis Hing‐Sang Chan Andrew Burd |
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Affiliation: | 1. Division of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Department of Surgery and;2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Hong Kong, China. |
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Abstract: | Aim: To describe a novel way of monitoring a buried fasciocutaneous anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap used for pharyngeal reconstruction. Methods: A tubed ALT flap was used to reconstruct a circumferential pharyngeal defect following resection of a carcinoma. An island of skin based on a separate perforator and externalized through the neck incision was used to monitor the flap. It was removed as a bedside procedure on the fifth postoperative day. Results: The externalized skin island allowed easy monitoring of the buried tubed free‐flap used to reconstruct the pharynx. Simple clinical parameters such as temperature, colour and capillary refill were used to monitor the flap instead of more complex and invasive methods. Conclusion: When feasible, a second skin island based on a separate set of perforator vessels provides an easy, safe and simple method of monitoring a buried free‐flap. |
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Keywords: | anterolateral thigh flap flap monitoring pharyngeal reconstruction |
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