Therapeutic Effects of Radial Free Forearm Flap and Anterolateral Thigh Flap Repair on Oral Carcinoma and the Complications

抄録

We aimed to study the therapeutic effects of radial free forearm flap (RFFF) and anterolateral thigh flap (ALTF) repair on oral carcinoma and the complications. The clinical data of 60 oral carcinoma patients undergoing radical resection of oral carcinom from January 2018 to May 2025 were retrospectively collected and analyzed. They were assigned to an RFFF group and an ALTF group. Perioperative indicators, oral function preoperatively and six months postoperatively and quality of life were compared between the two groups. The incidence rates of complications at donor and recipient sites were recorded. The ALTF group had a larger flap area, and longer flap preparation time and operation time than the RFFF group (P<0.05). Six months postoperatively, the accuracy sounds in the Chinese language speech articulation test, and the University of Washington Quality of Life Questionnaire (UW-QOL) scores all increased, while the scores of Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA) and Oral Health Impact Profile-14 (OHIP-14) decreased in both groups compared with those preoperatively (P<0.05). The RFFF group had higher accuracy in the Chinese language speech articulation test, and lower SSA scores than the ALTF group (P<0.05). The UW-QOL and OHIP-14 scores were comparable between the two groups (P>0.05). The incidence rates of postoperative complications were similar at the recipient site between the two groups (P>0.05), while it was higher at the donor site in the RFFF group than in the ALTF group (P<0.05). For tissue repair following radical resection of oral carcinoma, RFFF and ALTF are comparable in the efficacy and incidence of postoperative complications at the recipient site, with high flap survival rates and postoperative quality of life. ALTF has lower incidence rate of postoperative complications at the donor site and larger flap areas than RFFF, while RFFF outperforms ALTF in improving speech articulation and swallowing function.