Tounge Reconstruction with Medial Sural Artery Perforator Flap: A Case Report

The medial sural artery perforator flap (MSAP) is fasciocutaneous flap and it was first described by Cavadas et al. in 2001 as a refinement of the gastrocnemius flap [1]. Kao et al. established its use in head and neck reconstruction on anatomic basis and its versatility of application [2]. It is a useful alternative to radial forearm flap providing hairless tissue and less donor site morbidity.

It is a revolutionary substitute to radial artery flap (RAF) and anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps.. Perforator anatomy of MSAP flap is described by Hallock et al. [3]. Okamoto et al. reported about the anatomy of perforators present in MSAP flap [4]. Nugent and colleagues in 2015 reported that MSAP flap is surpassing to radial forearm flap for head and neck reconstruction [5].

A 28 year male patient with squamous cell carcinoma of right lateral border of tongue (T2N1M0) was planned for modified radical neck dissection and hemiglossectomy with reconstruction by medial sural artery perforator flap. Handheld Doppler ultrasound 8 mega Hz was used to identify perforator [6,7]. The size of the flap was measured as per the defect size (Figure 1). Tourniquet was used by inflating it to 100 mm above systolic pressure of patient. Lateral incision was placed first to identify perforator. With meticulous dissection of perforator main trunk of medial sural vessel was identified (Figure 2). Tourniquet was released to check the blood flow on pedicle. The length of vascular pedicle was found to be 10 cm. Caliber of the medial sural artery and accompanying vein was found to be 0.8 mm and 1 mm respectively. End to end anastomosis was done with facial artery and internal jugular vein with 8-0 proline suture under magnification. Primary closure of the donor site done with drains in situ. Postoperatively flap was monitored for bleeding, color change and ischemia. A sterile needle was used to check for bleeding every four hourly for three days (Figure 3).

Figure 1: Preoperative marking of flap.

Figure 2: Flap harvest.

Figure 3: Postoperative flap take up.

There has been many micro vascular flap used for head and neck reconstruction. Aim of a surgeon is to achieve a good aesthetics, functional preservation with less morbidity to donor site. Kao et al. emphasized benefits of MSAP flap over RAF flap and reported that increased chances of donor site morbidity due to obliteration of radial artery [8-10]. Yoe et al. in 2014 done a prospective study of MSAP with computed tomographic angiography-aided design in tongue reconstruction and resulted most acceptable free flap for soft tissue defect [11]. Kekatpure et al., used ALT for oral reconstruction and delinated that it is bulkier flap, with hair growth in oral cavity, and dental rehabilitation is difficult with this flap [12].

We had used Handheld Doppler to locate the perforator which is an easy and simplified method for mapping. Doppler sonography can also be used for locating the perforators [11]. Shen et al. used endoscopy for locating perforator of MSAP flap.

In our case report we found two perforators during dissection. Wong et al. reported that sometimes the mapped perforator does not have an artery with them so one should confirm the pulsation of the perforator [13]. The vascular pedicle of MSAP we got was 10 cm which make it easy to anastomose with the recipient vessels over neck. The width our flap 5 × 6 cm, so primary closure was easily accomplished. Jason et al. used split thickness graft when donor site is wider than 5 cm [14]. Cavadas et al. reported by removal of the gastrocnemius muscle sometimes there is weakness in the leg and gait is disturbed (Table 1).

Table 1: Vascular flap used for head and neck reconstruction.

We conclude that MSAP is a good replacement for tongue reconstruction as it is reliable, thin pliable, less technique sensitive for oral defect reconstruction.