Latissimus dorsi free flap reconstruction of a temporal defect following pediatric oncologic surgery: Case report + literature review

Estelle Piette; Vincent Sounthakith; Arnaud Picard; Vincent Couloigner; Philippe Drabent; Jean-François Honart; Camille Cordero; Daniel Orbach

doi:10.1016/j.jormas.2023.101704

Latissimus dorsi free flap reconstruction of a temporal defect following pediatric oncologic surgery: Case report + literature review

J Stomatol Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2023 Nov 27;125(5):101704. doi: 10.1016/j.jormas.2023.101704. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Estelle Piette¹, Vincent Sounthakith², Arnaud Picard², Vincent Couloigner³, Philippe Drabent⁴, Jean-François Honart⁵, Camille Cordero⁶, Daniel Orbach⁶

Affiliations

¹ Maxillo-Facial and Plastic Surgery Department, Necker Children Hospital, AP-HP, 149, rue de Sèvres, Paris 75015, France. Electronic address: estellepiette@outlook.com.
² Maxillo-Facial and Plastic Surgery Department, Necker Children Hospital, AP-HP, 149, rue de Sèvres, Paris 75015, France; Medicine School, Paris-Cité University, France.
³ Medicine School, Paris-Cité University, France; Head and Necker Surgery Department, Necker Children Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France.
⁴ Medicine School, Paris-Cité University, France; Department of Pathology, Necker Children Hospital, AP-HP, Paris, France.
⁵ Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Institut Gustave Roussy, Paris, France.
⁶ SIREDO Oncology Centre (Care, Innovation and Research for Children, Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer), PSL University, Institut Curie, Paris, France.

PMID: 38030124
DOI: 10.1016/j.jormas.2023.101704

Abstract

Introduction: Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft-tissue sarcoma in children and adolescents. Around 35 % of pediatric sarcomas occur in the head and neck region. Consequently, RMS is considered the most common type of childhood malignancy diagnosed in this region.

Observation: We report the clinical case of a 6 years old patient, who presented a large temporal hollowing following oncological excision surgery for temporal rhabdomyosarcoma. He underwent surgical reconstruction to fill the right temporalis fossa using a latissimus dorsi muscle free flap micro-anastomosed to the lingual vessels.

Discussion: This clinical case highlights the value of plastic surgery in oncological reconstruction, which, combined with a multidisciplinary and collective approach, enables a holistic approach and facilitates socio-psychological integration after oncological surgery in the pediatric population.

Keywords: Free flap; Pediatric oncology; Rhabdosarcoma.

Publication types

Case Reports