Comparison of reliability between the modified groin flap and the forearm flap in oral reconstruction

• Published in: Oral surgery, oral medicine, oral pathology, oral radiology and endodontics Vol. 92; no. 6; pp. 602 - 605
• Main Authors: Katou, Fuminori, Shirai, Nobukazu, Kimizuka, Satoshi, Kamakura, Shinji, Echigo, Seishi, Motegi, Katsutoshi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: St. Louis, MO Mosby, Inc 01-12-2001; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Cicatrix; Dentistry; Female; Forearm - surgery; Groin - surgery; Head and neck surgery. Maxillofacial surgery. Dental surgery. Orthodontics; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Mouth Neoplasms - rehabilitation; Oral Surgical Procedures - methods; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures - methods; Retrospective Studies; Skin Transplantation - methods; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgery of the upper aerodigestive tract; Surgical Flaps - blood supply; Tumors; Upper respiratory tract, upper alimentary tract, paranasal sinuses, salivary glands: diseases, semeiology; Human; Reconstruction; Squamous cell carcinoma; Stomatology; Plastic surgery; Surgical resection; Malignant tumor; Inguinal; Retrospective; Oral cavity; Forearm; Treatment; Advantage; Disadvantage; Surgery; Oral cavity disease; Technique; Reliability; Flap (surgery); Comparative study
• ISSN: 1079-2104; 1528-395X
• DOI: 10.1067/moe.2001.118315

Objective: The groin flap has the advantage of minimum donor-site morbidity, while having the disadvantage of short vascular pedicle of small caliber. Modification of the groin flap has improved the former disadvantage, but the latter one remains. The purpose of this study was to compare the reliability of the modified groin flap with the forearm flap. Study Design: Eleven modified groin flaps and 40 forearm flaps consecutively performed by a single surgeon in a hospital for patients with oral cancer were retrospectively reviewed. Results: The rate of total flap loss in the modified groin flap group (8.3%) was higher than that in the forearm flap group (2.5%). The rates of partial flap loss in both flaps were similar to those of total flap loss. The failures of the modified groin flap and the forearm flap were due to arterial and venous complications, respectively. Conclusion: The modified groin flap appears to be a little less reliable than is forearm flap; nevertheless, it could be a good option for patients who desire less conspicuous postoperative scars. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2001;92:602-5)