Single-stage maxillary and nasal floor reconstruction with the double-paddle rectus abdominis musculocutaneous free flap

Palatal integrity is essential for useful speech, deglutition, good oral hygiene, and prevention of nasal regurgitation. Maxillary defects after tumor extirpation, therefore, can have serious functional and cosmetic implications. Given the often disappointing results obtained with local and regional pedicled flaps for maxillary reconstruction, a variety of microvascular free flaps have been utilized in recent years, including the rectus abdominis, fibular, radial forearm, and latissimus dorsi flaps. Experience with these techniques has been documented in a limited number of case reports. We describe our single-stage approach to maxillary and nasal floor reconstruction with the double skin-paddle rectus abdominis musculocutaneous free flap. A series of five patients is presented; six of these immediate free flap reconstructions were performed for defects resulting from tumor resection. A vertical rectus abdominis musculocutaneous free flap was used in all cases, designing two separate skin paddles to accommodate the measured maxillary and nasal floor deficiencies. Anastomoses of the deep inferior epigastric artery and vena comitans were performed end-to-end to the facial artery and vein, respectively. In addition, orbital floor reconstruction with calvarial bone grafts or titanium mesh was performed in all five patients. Separation of the oral and nasal cavities was maintained postoperatively. No intraoperative complications, perioperative mortalities, flap losses, instances of skin paddle necrosis, hematomas, or oronasal fistulae were observed. One patient required bedside drainage of a surgical site abscess that resolved without adverse sequelae. Over the past 4 years, the double skin-paddle rectus abdominis musculocutaneous free flap has provided reliable results at our institution for single-stage reconstruction of maxillary and nasal floor defects. This reconstructive technique should be considered a viable method that can alleviate the functional and cosmetic debility associated with these defects.