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.