OBJECTIVEThis study aims to investigate the feasibility of tongue reconstruction by a rectus abdominis musculoperitoneal flap with neurovascular pedicled in a canine model.

METHODSTwelve Beagle dogs were enrolled to the experiment. The animals were randomly divided into thee groups, two of which (group A and B) had nerve anastomosis. The left sides were experimental sides, whereas the right sides were control sides. Twelve weeks after operation, electrophysiological test was performed to detect hypoglossal nerve latency amplitude and conduction velocity as well as to evaluate the reinnervation of the rectus abdominis musculoperitoneal flap.

RESULTSAmong the 12 Beagle dogs, nine animal tongue reconstruction models by rectus abdominis musculoperitoneal flap with neurovascular pedicled were successful, whereas one male Beagle dog died from ventral hemia 3 d after the operation, two female rectus peritoneal flaps were abandoned because their arterial anatomy differed from the male, which was not ideal. Hypoglossal nerve conduction velocity of group A and B were restored to the normal side of the 40%, 30%.

CONCLUSIONAnimal models of tongue reconstruction can be established by a rectus abdominis musculoperitoneal flap with neurovascular pedicled in Beagle dogs. Denervated rectus abdominis musculoperitoneal flap can regain hypoglossal nerve innervation. Hypoglossal nerve functions partly recover.