OBJECTIVETo compare the thin anterolateral flap with forearm flap in tongue defect repairing, and to introduce our methods and experiences in the tongue reconstruction with the thin anterolateral flap.

METHODSThe clinicopathologic data of 46 cases with tongue carcinoma were obtained from School of Stomatology, Nanjing University Medical Center, Nanjing University from December 2009 to December 2011. To compare two methods of incidence of vascular crisis, tongue shape, language and swallowing functional recovery.

RESULTS46 patients with tongue carcinoma were performed the tongue reconstruction in 12 month, which 12 cases were used the thin anterolateral flap and 34 cases were used the forearm flap. In the thin anterolateral flap group, All cases were succeeded. 1 case occurs vascular crisis. In the forearm flap group, 33 cases were succeeded, and 1 case occurs necrosis. 3 cases occurs vascular crisis. The results of comparing two methods showed that: no obvious differences in the tongue shape, and no obvious differences in the function of language and swallowing.

CONCLUSIONSThere no obvious differences in the reconstruction of tongue defect between the thin anterolateral flap and the forearm flap. The thin anterolateral flap have some advantages: little influence is on the donor site, the flap extent is abundant, the donor site is not spectacular. The thin anterolateral flap should be piror method for the tongue defect repairing.