Vascularized free forearm flap versus free anterolateral thigh perforator flaps for reconstruction in patients with head and neck cancer: assessment of quality of life.

BACKGROUND This study investigated the quality of life of Chinese patients with malignant tumors who had undergone immediate free flap reconstruction surgery. In addition, we compared 2 groups of patients: those who had received radial forearm free flap surgery and others who had received free anterolateral thigh perforator flap surgery. METHODS Quality of life was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study-Short Form-36 (MOS SF-36) and the University of Washington Quality of Life (UW-QOL) questionnaires 12 months after reconstruction. RESULTS A total of 121 of 163 questionnaires were returned (74.2%). There were significant differences between the 2 groups in the T classification (p < .005). Patients reconstructed with free anterolateral thigh perforator flaps performed better in the appearance and shoulder domains, and the role emotion and social functioning domains. CONCLUSIONS Using either radial forearm free flaps or free anterolateral thigh perforator flaps for reconstruction of head and neck defects after cancer resection significantly influences a patient's quality of life.