[Microvascular free flap reconstructive options in patients with different types of maxillectomy defects]

To evaluate the efficacy of the distinct free flaps in reconstruction of different types of maxillectomy defects.

A retrospective reviews was performed of in 66 consecutive cases of reconstructions with free flaps for maxillary tumor ablation defects from October 1997 to June 2010. There were 43 patients who had recurrences after previous operations and 46 patients had accepted radiation therapy before. According to the classification of Brown's maxilla defect:10 cases were in class I, 13 in class II, 23 in class III and 20 in class IV. The reconstructive free flaps included 26 fibula flaps, 10 radial forearm flaps, 7 latissimus dorsi flaps, 7 rectus abdominis flaps, 7 anterolateral thigh perforator flaps, 5 deep inferior epigastric artery perforators, 2 latissimus dorsi/rib flaps and 2 iliac crest flaps. Postoperative features and functions were assessed in 29 patients.

The overall free flap success rate was 93.9% (62/66). Three rectus abdominis flaps and one fibula flap failed. There were 29 patients who received postoperative function assessment. Sixty-two percent of the patients restored to taking regular diets, 24 (82.8%) patients had normal language communication ability, and 25 (86.2%) patients were satisfied with their feature.

Radial forearm flap was recommended to reconstruct the class 1 defect, fibula flap to class 2 or class 3 and preformatted flap to class 4.