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Updated: Jul 6, 2026
Coronoid-Temporalis Pedicled Flap for Orbital Floor Defect Reconstruction
Published on: December 5, 2025
Functional reconstruction of complex lip and cheek defect with free composite anterolateral thigh flap and
Yur-Ren Kuo1, Seng-Feng Jeng, Fu-Chan Wei
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Background:
Extensive composite defects involving the lip and cheek present difficult reconstructive challenges. This study presents a technique using anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps with vascularized fascia for large complex oral sphincter defect reconstruction.
Methods:
Fifteen patients who had undergone oral cancer ablation were enrolled in the study. The average area of intraoral lining and cheek-lip skin defects was 96.9 cm(2). Upper-lip defects ranged 0% to 60%, and lower-lip defects ranged 20% to 80%. Skin and intraoral lining defects were replaced by an ALT fasciacutaneous flap. The vascularized fascia of the flap was used to provide lip suspension.
Results:
Flap survival was 100%. All but 1 patient had good static suspension. Nine patients had adequate oral competence without drooling, but 6 had occasional oral incontinence. All patients achieved an acceptable appearance.
Conclusions:
For extensive cheek-lip composite defects, ALT flap together with vascularized fascia has proven to be a useful option for functional reconstruction.
