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Updated: May 15, 2026
Coronoid-Temporalis Pedicled Flap for Orbital Floor Defect Reconstruction
Published on: December 5, 2025
Reconstruction of through-and-through cheek defects with folded free anterolateral thigh flaps
Zhi-Min Liu1, Di Wu, Xue-Kui Liu
1State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Cancer Center, Sun Yat-Sen University, Guangzhou, China.
Purpose:
The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical application and therapeutic efficacy of through-and-through cheek defects reconstructed with folded anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps.
Patients And Methods:
From January 2009 to May 2012, 10 patients with through-and-through cheek defects resulting from resection of cheek tumor underwent reconstruction with the folded ALT flap at Sun Yat-Sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China. Surgical procedures in harvesting the ALT flap, as well as the surgical anatomy, are described, and the success rate is reported.
Results:
All ALT flaps were fasciocutaneous flaps. One patient with a thrombotic event required operative exploration in the perioperative period. All 10 flaps were based on a single perforator for reconstruction of defects. In all 10 cases, the donor site was closed primarily for the ALT flap, leaving only a linear scar that was inconspicuous with normal clothing, and the thigh had no functional deficit.
Conclusions:
The free ALT flap has good pliability and can be folded for the reconstruction of both the inner and outer lining of through-and-through cheek defects. This flap presents good functional results at the recipient site with the additional advantages of minimal donor-site morbidity, a very acceptable esthetic result, and a high level of patient satisfaction.