title: Reconstruction of the base of the tongue with the microvascular ulnar forearm flap: a functional assessment.
abstract: Ten patients with infiltrating carcinomas of the base of the tongue/tonsillar region underwent 30 to 100 percent resection of the base of the tongue and lateral pharyngeal wall. The surgical defect was reconstructed (9 primary, 1 secondary) with a large microvascular ulnar forearm flap that was selectively contoured to provide bulk for the base of the tongue and a thin lining for the pharyngeal wall. Seven patients were evaluated for swallowing and speech 6 weeks to 2 years following the reconstruction. Cineradiographic studies showed excellent base of the tongue and flap mobility allowing glossopharyngeal closure in all patients and complete pharyngeal evacuation in four patients. Four patients who were in good health preoperatively were able to eat a regular diet postoperatively, and the remaining three patients were able to handle soft food. Functional recovery after major tongue base surgery is contingent upon a three-dimensional microvascular reconstruction using a thin forearm flap.
authors.affiliation: Center for Disorders of the Head and Neck-Western Medical Center, Santa Ana, California, USA.
authors.forename: A H
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Salibian
authors.forename: G R
authors.initials: GR
authors.lastname: Allison
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Krugman
authors.forename: V V
authors.initials: VV
authors.lastname: Strelzow
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Brugman
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rappaport
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: McMicken
authors.forename: T L
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Etchepare
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D002933:Cineradiography; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005542:Forearm; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010614:Pharynx / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D013060:Speech; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000379:methods*; D014059:Tongue / Q000601:surgery*; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D014067:Tonsillar Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome