Objective: To explore the application of the medial sural artery perforator flap to reconstruct the defect following oral and maxillofacial tumor resection.

Material and methods: Between April 2010 and April 2011, the oral and maxillofacial defects after tumor resection were reconstructed with free medial sural artery perforator flaps in 21 patients (11 men and 10 women) in our department. Patient ages ranged from 33 to 71 years (mean, 54 years) and follow-up periods ranged from 1 to 12 months (mean, 5 months). The clinical data were collected, including the size of skin paddle, the number of major perforators (vein > 1 mm), the length of pedicle and the donor-site morbidity. We paid attention to the outcome and donor-site morbidity after reconstruction.

Results: The medial sural artery perforator flap flaps were raised with 1–4 perforators. One flap was partial lost after reexplored due to venous thrombosis. All of the other 20 flaps succeeded. Flap sizes varied from 4 cm × 6 cm to 6 cm × 12 cm. The mean length of the pedicle was 10.6 cm. Long-term follow-up showed satisfying receipt-site reconstruction result was gotten with good functional and cosmetic outcome in the donor site. The advantages of minimizing donor site morbidity were due to maintain the function of the muscle, avoid sacrificing major artery of the leg and closing the donor defect directly.

Conclusion: The medial sural artery perforator flap is a good and reliable alternative to reconstruct the small to medium-sized defect in oral and maxillofacial region with less donor site morbidity.

Conflict of interest: None declared.