Reconstruction of extensive through-and-through cheek defects with free anterolateral thigh flap.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical features and therapeutic efficacy of extensive through-and-through cheek defects reconstruction with free anterolateral thigh flap. METHODS: A total of 11 patients underwent simultaneous tumor radical resection and through-and-through cheek defects reconstruction with free anterolateral thigh flap. RESULTS: In these 11 patients, 7 patients had undergone the reconstruction of through-and-through cheek defects with the folded anterolateral thigh flap (2 skin islands and an intervening de-epithelialized zone); 4 patients had undergone the reconstruction of through-and-through cheek defects with the 2 separate skin paddles anterolateral thigh flap in 1 single pedicle. All of these 11 flaps were free fasciocutaneous anterolateral thigh flaps. The subcutaneous fat thickness of the anterolateral thigh flap is less than 1.5 cm. CONCLUSIONS: The free anterolateral thigh flap was one of the versatile soft tissue flaps in the extensive through-and-through cheek defects reconstruction.