The unique and valuable soft tissue free flap in head and neck reconstruction: Lateral arm

Publication date: July 2018
Source:Oral Oncology, Volume 82
Author(s): Stephen Y. Kang, Antoine Eskander, Krupal Patel, Theodoros N. Teknos, Matthew O. Old
While the lateral arm free flap has been well described, there is a relative paucity in its use compared to other free flaps and regional flaps. The lateral arm free flap is a unique soft tissue free flap that provides several reconstructive advantages in head and neck reconstruction: excellent contour and color match to facial skin, well compartmentalized fat, donor nerves for nerve grafting, and the ability to two-team harvest and close the donor site without a skin graft. A detailed anatomic and harvest technique is described, along with indications and advantages of using lateral free flap for head and neck reconstruction. A scoping literature review was also conducted to tabulate indications, overall success and complications of the flap. The lateral arm flap is a primary option for defects requiring soft tissue reconstruction in the head and neck.



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