ANTEROLATERAL THIGH FREE FLAP IN RECONSTRUCTION OF ORAL CAVITY MALIGNANCY: UMMC EXPERIENCE

Oral cavity malignancy reconstructive surgery has advanced from pedicle flaps to microvascular free tissue transfer. Previously, reconstruction of these defects were done using radial forearm free flap in this centre. We report our experience using anterolateral thigh free flap in a 49 year old lady with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue. Excision of tumour left a defect which was later reconstructed using microvascular free tissue transfer using the right anterolateral thigh free flap. The flap was well taken up at the recepient site and no evidence of flap failure noted post operatively and on completion of radiotherapy. She was able to maintain comprehensible speech and swallowing ability.