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Dual chimeric innervated vastus lateralis free flap for single stage blink and midface reanimation
Author(s) -
Chong Lauren S. H.,
Tjahjono Richard,
Eviston Timothy J.,
Clark Jonathan R.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.24795
Subject(s) - medicine , free flap , parotidectomy , context (archaeology) , surgery , facial nerve , vastus lateralis muscle , anatomy , paleontology , skeletal muscle , biology
Background The immediate reconstruction of the face in the setting of radical parotidectomy for malignancy represents a particular challenge. We present a novel technique using 2 sections of the vastus lateralis muscle as a chimeric flap in combination with the anterolateral thigh (ALT) fasciocutaneous flap to achieve midface reanimation and eye closure after radical parotidectomy. Methods The harvest technique in view of variations in chimeric muscle components, vascular pedicles, and neural coaptations is described herein. Results On postoperative facial nerve examination, we observed encouraging results in middle‐aged patients even in the context of radiotherapy. Conclusion Although reanimation using the chimeric vastus lateralis free flap is yet to be objectively determined in a large series, our experience is that this flap adds the potential of dynamic midface movement and eye closure to our current reconstructive approach with excellent postoperative results in selected cases.