Free vascularized lateral femoral cutaneous nerve graft with anterolateral thigh flap for reconstruction of facial nerve defects

J Reconstr Microsurg. 2006 Jul;22(5):343-8. doi: 10.1055/s-2006-946711.

Abstract

Wide resection of a malignant tumor in the parotid gland often results in loss of a long segment of facial nerve, as well as a soft-tissue defect. With conventional nerve grafts, functional recovery of the facial nerve is poor in cases with risk factors that might inhibit nerve regeneration, such as a history of irradiation and a recipient bed scarred from previous operations. For such cases, a vascularized nerve graft is reported to be more effective than a nonvascularized nerve graft. This paper describes the first successful use of a free vascularized lateral femoral cutaneous nerve graft combined with an anterolateral thigh flap to repair the facial nerve and a soft-tissue defect. This method is technically simple, has minimal donor-site morbidity, and typically results in successful nerve recovery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Action Potentials
  • Adenocarcinoma / surgery*
  • Adult
  • Electromyography
  • Facial Nerve / surgery*
  • Femoral Nerve / transplantation
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Parotid Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures / methods
  • Surgical Flaps*