title: Functional comparison after reconstruction with a radial forearm free flap or a pectoralis major flap for cancer of the tongue.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Numerous patients in Taiwan with tongue carcinoma require tongue reconstruction. We compared the abilities of 2 methods of tongue reconstruction to reserve tongue function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty patients underwent resection of the tumors and reconstruction with a pectoralis major flap or a radial forearm flap. The Chinese articulation test was used to evaluate the place and manner of error production, and a questionnaire on dietary habits was used to evaluate deglutition 6 months to 10 years after reconstruction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients with the free flap had more intelligible speech. The questionnaire study showed no significant difference between the 2 groups in swallowing rating. Motility caused by flap pliability increased speech intelligibility more than it did on swallowing function.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our experience in a few selected patients shows that the functional outcome of tongue surgery is related to the reconstruction methods used (for speech) and to the extent of tongue resection (for swallowing).
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Tri-Service General Hospital, National Defense Medical Center, Taiwan. wfs19582001@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Wan-Fu
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Yi-Jan
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Hsia
authors.forename: Yen-Chine
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Shyi-Gen
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Hwa
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sheng
mesh_terms: D003679:Deglutition; D005260:Female; D005927:Glossectomy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000503:physiopathology; D011184:Postoperative Period; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D013062:Speech Articulation Tests; D013065:Speech Intelligibility; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*