Comparison of the long-term functional recovery of the donor site between the superficial inferior abdominal artery perforator flap and forearm flap

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical value of the superficial inferior abdominal artery perforator flap in oral cancer patients by comparing the long-term complications of the donor site between the superficial inferior abdominal artery perforator flap and forearm flap.

MethodsThe clinical data of 15 oral cancer patients(observation group) treated with free superficial inferior abdominal artery perforator flaps(superficial inferior epigastric artery perforator flaps or superficial circumflex iliac artery perforator flaps) for extensive resection of lesions and 15 oral and maxillofacial soft tissue defect patients(control group) treated with forearm flaps to repair at the same time were retrospectively analyzed.The long-term complications of the donor site(including paresthesia, hyperplasia of scar and pigmentation) were compared between two groups, and the long-term functional recovery of the donor site was evaluated in two groups.

ResultsIn the observation group, the donor wound was directly pulled and sutured after stealth separation, and only linear scar was left after surgery, which had little effect on aesthetics and function.In the control group, the skin grafting was performed on the donor wounds, and the postoperative hyperplasia and hyperpigmentation of scars were obvious.The comparison results of the subjective feelings of patients in the donor site after skin flap surgery showed that there was no statistical significance in the decrease of muscle strength between two groups(P>0.05), and the paresthesia and subjective evaluation of the donor site appearance in observation group was significantly better than those in control group(P < 0.01).In the objective examination of the sensation, function and appearance of the donor site of patients in two groups, the muscle strength decreasing and paresthesia in observation group were better than those in control group(P < 0.05 and P < 0.01), and the color, thickness, vascular distribution, flexibility and total score of scar in observation group were also significantly better than those in control group(P < 0.01).

ConclusionsThe superficial inferior abdominal artery perforator flap is a good choice for the repair of oral and maxillofacial soft tissue defects, which has less complications at the donor site and less influence on the appearance and function of the donor site.