Use of medial upper arm free flap in oral cavity reconstruction: a preliminary study

Purpose: To present our experience with pre-expanded medial upper arm flap in facial and neck reconstruction. Patients and Methods: This was a retrospective study operated between January 1st, 2001 and January 1st, 2021, at the Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and Peking Union Medical College. Staged face and/or neck reconstruction was performed. Results: Forty-one patients were treated in our institution and thirty-eight patients (forty-three flaps) were included in this cohort as. They ranged from 6 to 44 years old. There was no total flap loss in the cohort. Partial flap necrosis was observed in the earlier patients (4 cases). Conclusion: Pre-expanded medial upper arm flap is well matched to the facial and neck skin in color, texture, and thickness. Considering the excellent aesthetic outcomes, this flap is a good alternative for selected patients with soft tissue defects of the head and neck.

“…Conventionally, this flap is transferred as a free flap [7][8][9] or to cover the wound around the elbow or axilla. 10 But it was rarely used to reconstruct the face and neck.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Facial and Neck Reconstruction With Pre-expanded Medial Upper Arm Flap: An Alternative method and 20-Year Experience

Chen

et al. 2022

“…[12][13][14] Because of its multitude advantages, the medial arm flap has been used to reconstruct cervicofacial defect as a pedicled flap 2,4 or a free flap. 15 However, this flap has not gained popularity, at least in part owing to the fact that the patient must maintain a passive immobilized posture for a period of time before the pedicle division. 2,4 -6 The passive immobilized posture may cause pain, numbness, and potential stiffness of the shoulder.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The medial arm flap has been reported in many studies, and the flap has been used as a valuable reconstructive option 12–14 . Because of its multitude advantages, the medial arm flap has been used to reconstruct cervicofacial defect as a pedicled flap 2,4 or a free flap 15 . However, this flap has not gained popularity, at least in part owing to the fact that the patient must maintain a passive immobilized posture for a period of time before the pedicle division 2,4–6 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Cervicofacial Defect Reconstruction Using the Pre-Expanded Medial Arm Flap Without Immobilization of the Upper Extremity

Yue

Liu²,

Zhu³

et al. 2021

The medial arm flap has multiple advantages when used for cervicofacial defect reconstruction but remains underused. The main drawback of the medial arm flap is that the patient must maintain the passive immobilized posture before the pedicle division. This clinical study aims to introduce a reconstructive method for cervicofacial defects using the medial arm flap without the immobilization of the upper extremity. This retrospective study was performed with data from 14 patients requiring pre-expanded medial arm flaps to reconstruct cervicofacial defects. Indocyanine green (ICG) angiography was used to detect perforators and evaluate the flap perfusion; all the flaps underwent pre-transfer tissue expansion. A total of 15 full-length medial arm flaps were used. All the perforators identified by ICG angiography were directly visualized during flap elevation. In four cases, poor perfusion areas in the flaps were noted by intraoperative ICG angiography. Combined with the clinical observation, parts with poor perfusion were resected. The average flap size was 203.9 AE 75.2 cm 2 and ranged 20 to 28 cm in length after tissue expansion. The medial arm donor sites were closed directly or using another flap. All flaps survived completely. The patients were followed-up for 1 to 22 months. All patients and their family members were satisfied with the outcomes. Cervicofacial defect reconstruction using a medial arm flap with the aid of tissue expansion and ICG angiography can provide sufficient tissue for defect resurfacing and also eliminate the necessity of the immobilization of the upper extremity during surgery.

“…Medial arm flaps have been used for facial soft tissue defect reconstruction for hundreds of years 9–14 . Tissue expansion and “buddy flap” techniques have given us more freedom to repair larger facial defects using ideal tissue with minimal donor site morbidities 12 .…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Periorbital and Perioral Defect Reconstruction Using the Split Pre-Expanded Medial Arm Flap Aided by Using Indocyanine Green Angiography

Zhu

Zang

et al. 2021

The pre-expanded medial arm flap provides suitable skin for the resurfacing of a periorbital or perioral defect. However, the flap must be intraoperatively split to imitate the appearance of the oral or ophthalmic fissure, which can compromise flap perfusion. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of splitting pre-expanded medial arm flaps with the aid of indocyanine green angiography. All 8 patients underwent periorbital or perioral soft tissue reconstruction using a split pre-expanded medial arm flap. Flap splitting was aided by indocyanine green angiography. It was used during 2 stages of the procedure, tissue expander placement and flap transfer. The pedicle was divided 3 weeks later, and the flaps were used to resurface the defect. The distal portion of the flap was split into a fishmouth pattern in 5 patients and a window pattern in 3 patients. The donor sites were closed directly or by using a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. There were no perioperative complications or flap necrosis. A pre-expanded split medial arm flap could be an option for the reconstruction of periorbital and perioral defects. With the assistance of indocyanine green angiography, vessel distribution and distal flap perfusion can be reliably evaluated, facilitating the safe splitting of the flap for the reconstruction of defects.