Functional hemitongue reconstruction with free forearm flap.
- Author:
Gui-Qing LIAO
1
;
Yu-Xiong SU
;
Hai-Chao LIU
;
Jin LI
;
Numan FAHMHA
;
De-Ming OU
;
Qin WANG
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Adult; Aged; Female; Forearm; surgery; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle, Skeletal; transplantation; Oral Surgical Procedures; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures; methods; Skin Transplantation; Surgical Flaps; Tongue Neoplasms; physiopathology; surgery
- From: Chinese Journal of Plastic Surgery 2008;24(4):253-256
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical application of free forearm flap in the functional hemitongue reconstruction.
METHODSFrom July 2002 to November 2006, 40 patients with tongue cancer underwent hemiglossectomy and primary hemitongue reconstruction with free forearm flaps. In some cases, the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerves of the flaps were anastomosed with the lingual nerve to restore the flap sensation.
RESULTSAll patients recovered uneventfully after surgery with no morbidity in the donor site. All free flaps survived. The average follow-up period was 2 years and 6 months. The aesthetic and functional results were both satisfactory. The swallowing and speech function were almost normal. The flap sensation was partially restored.
CONCLUSIONSGood functional hemitongue reconstruction can be achieved with free forearm flaps.
