ABSTRACT
Perforator flaps have introduced an advance in microsurgical reconstruction, by allowing
the design of flaps that are tailored for a specific defect. In this report, the reconstructive
technique in a case of temporal squamous-cell carcinoma is presented as an example
of this trend. Following wide resection of the skin tumor, superficial parotidectomy
was performed as a part of the lymph-node dissection. An anterolateral thigh perforator
flap was harvested, including a segment of the vastus lateralis muscle in connection
with the skin perforators, to reconstruct both the skin defect and the parotidectomy-related
soft-tissue deficit. The muscle segment was reinnervated by the greater auricular
nerve to diminish atrophy. The aesthetic result was satisfactory. Minor's starch-iodine
test demonstrated prevention of Frey's syndrome. The anterolateral thigh flap is a
versatile donor that allows individual variations in design for custom-made flaps.
KEYWORDS
Anterolateral thigh perforator flap - custom-made flaps - specific defects
