Transoral reconstruction of the mobile tongue, using radial forearm free flap.
Tongue resection has significant influence on the patient's quality of life, because it interferes with masticatory and speech functions and affects facial aesthetics. To avoid the disadvantages of the traditional lip-splitting used to approach partial tongue reconstruction for resection (40% of the tongue or more), we recommend a completely transoral approach, with the radial forearm free flap as a donor flap. Between 1999-2001, the suggested technique was applied in 11 patients with squamous-cell carcinoma of the mobile tongue. A follow-up of 6-30 months showed good to excellent oral function, with preservation of tongue volume, motion, and facial aesthetics. This approach seems to be preferable over the lip-split approach for the reconstruction of mobile tongue defects.
Shpitzer
Thomas
T
Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Rabin Medical Center, Beilinson Campus, Petach Tikva and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel. tommyeve@netvision.net.il
Guttman
Dan
D
Gur
Eyal
E
Feinmesser
Raphael
R
Ad-El
Dean
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005542:Forearm; D005927:Glossectomy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012494:Sampling Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome