Clinical Outcomes of Thoracodorsal Artery Flap in Oral and Maxillofacial Reconstruction

The goal of this study is to retrospectively compare different types of free flaps to determine the most suitable free flap for functional reconstruction in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients following tumor resection. The main questions it aims to answer are: Do the clinical characteristics of the thoracodorsal artery perforator flap differ from those of other types of flaps? Does the thoracodorsal artery perforator flap result in better clinical outcomes compared to other types of flaps? After reconstruction with the thoracodorsal artery perforator flap, do patients have better quality of life, speech function and scar healing compared to other types of flaps? Investigators will retrospectively compare the thoracodorsal artery perforator flap with other types of flaps (such as the anterolateral thigh flap, forearm flap, latissimus dorsi flap and fibula flap) to explore the most suitable free flap for facial defect reconstruction in oral squamous cell carcinoma patients. Participants are oral squamous cell carcinoma patients who previously underwent facial defect reconstruction with different types of flaps. Participants have completed relevant questionnaires at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months post-surgery. The data will be scored and assessed by the investigators.

Sex

All

Minimum age

18 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma who have completed comprehensive imaging examinations before surgery.
2. Preoperative pathological biopsy confirmed as oral squamous cell carcinoma.
3. Patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma who have completed comprehensive laboratory tests before surgery.
4. Patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma who underwent tumor resection and flap reconstruction at our hospital.
5. Postoperative pathological diagnosis confirmed as oral squamous cell carcinoma.
6. Patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma who attend follow-up visits at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-surgery, completing all clinical examinations and questionnaires.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma who lack imaging data or have artifacts affecting imaging results.
2. Patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma who have incomplete laboratory test results from our hospital.
3. Patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma with postoperative pathology that remains unclear or cannot be confirmed as oral squamous cell carcinoma.
4. Patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma who are unable to attend follow-up visits at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months.
5. Patients who do not complete the questionnaires as required during follow-up visits.

• BACKGROUNDMin F, Qiu P, Zhu X, Zhou B, Lin Z, Pan C, Wang Y. Modified submandibular mandibulotomy approach versus lip-splitting approach in tongue cancer surgery: a retrospective paired-cohort study. Clin Oral Investig. 2023 Dec 26;28(1):32. doi: 10.1007/s00784-023-05395-3. PMID 38147089
• BACKGROUNDZhou B, Liao J, Zhu C, Yuan K, Liu Z, Lin Z, Huang Z, Chen W, Li J, Wang Y. Full cheek defect reconstruction using ALTF versus RFF: Comparison of quality of life, clinical results, and donor site morbidity. Oral Dis. 2020 Sep;26(6):1157-1164. doi: 10.1111/odi.13354. Epub 2020 May 4. PMID 32289869
• DERIVEDWu F, Xia X, Zhu C, Fu M, Zhu X, Wang J, Lan T, Wang Y. Functional tongue reconstruction using innervated TDAP versus ALT free flaps: a retrospective paired-cohort study. Head Face Med. 2025 Dec 5;22(1):3. doi: 10.1186/s13005-025-00572-z. PMID 41350686