Infection of Anterolateral Thigh Free Flap With Multiple Digestive Tract Bacteria Involvement After Excision of Auricular Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

[OBJECTIVE] The authors present a case of an infected anterolateral thigh flap repairing the defect after auricular squamous cell carcinoma surgery.

[METHODS] A 59-year-old male with squamous cell carcinoma in the right auricle was admitted to the hospital. After extended excision of the tumor, the defect was repaired with anterolateral thigh free flap. The flap was accidentally infected with multiple digestive tract bacteria. Computed tomography (CT) angiography was employed to reconstruct the anastomosed artery of the flap. The patient was followed up for 3 years.

[RESULTS] The flap survived well. No recurrence or metastasis was observed. In addition, the patient was satisfied with the listening and aesthetic results.

[CONCLUSIONS] This case suggests that anterior thigh free flap can be a candidate in auricle-mastoid region, CT angiography can serve as an objective predictor to evaluate the vascular status and prognosis of a free flap. It is proved again that free flap is tough in infectious condition.