Long-Term Stability of Vascularized Adipofascial Flaps in Facial Reconstruction

Objectives: To determine the quantitative volume change over time of vascularized adipofascial anterolateral thigh (AFALT) free flaps in facial reconstruction, and to evaluate patient factors that are associated with changes in volume. Methods: A retrospective review was performed on patients who underwent AFALT reconstruction for large volume parotid and midface defects after head and neck cancer surgery at a single tertiary care hospital from 2011 to 2018. Flap volume was measured at different time points using 3D Slicer, a free open source software for medical image computing. Trends in volume change over time were evaluated. A multiple linear regression model was used to analyze patient factors associated with mean final volume change. Results: Twenty-one patients were included. The median follow-up period from surgery was 17 months (interquartile range [IQR] = 9-25 months). The first imaging study was obtained a median of 3 months after surgery (IQR = 1-4 months). The majority of patients underwent postoperative radiation (20/21, 95%). Mean final total volume percentage change over time was 96.6% (standard deviation = 21.7%). After controlling for age, smoking history, recurrence, and length of follow-up, a reduction in body mass index (BMI) ≥1.5 U from baseline had the greatest association with mean final volume percentage change (β -31, 95% confidence interval: -52 to -11, p = 0.005). Conclusions: Free tissue transfer using AFALT flaps in the head and neck provided relatively stable volume maintenance over time, even after postoperative radiation. The volume of transplanted fat can change depending on patient factors, such as BMI.