Simultaneous double free radial forearm flaps combined with coronoidectomy and myotomy to release bilateral severe trismus: A case report

This report presents a 47‐year‐old man with severe trismus caused by recurrent head and neck cancer, who had received multiple free‐flap reconstructions after cancer ablation. Reconstruction was successfully achieved for the bilateral defects and releasing the trismus by using simultaneous double free radial forearm flaps as a chained flow‐through pattern with one residual recipient vessel combined with the bilateral myotomy of the medial pterygoid and masseter muscles, and coronoidectomy. Both flaps survived without any postoperative complication. The maximal mouth opening measured by interincisal distance was 38 mm intraoperative and 32 mm during the 3‐year follow‐up period. This approach may be an effective option for releasing trismus when recipient vessels are lacking.
Source: Microsurgery - Category: Surgery Authors: Tags: CASE REPORT Source Type: research