Repair of anterior floor of mouth defects by a central or paramedian island tongue flap.
One method for restoring the anterior floor of mouth defects resulting from T(1) and especially T(2) cancer excision involves the creation of a myomucosal island flap from the dorsal median portion of the tongue and transferring it as a transit flap to the floor of the mouth. We are not the first to advocate this method. In this paper we present a previously unreported, slightly modified technique utilizing this tongue flap. The modification consists of a 90 degrees twisting of the flap to achieve a more appropriate adaptation to the defect. In the case of spreading carcinoma from the floor of the mouth to the central portion of the tongue, a similar paramedian one-sided tongue flap was created instead of a central island tongue flap. Our present experience consists of a small series of 12 patients. The procedures were successful in all patients. No remarkable disturbances of speech or deglutition were observed in any of the patients. There were two complications: one haematoma and one partial necrosis of the tip of the tongue. In our opinion, the reconstruction of the anterior floor of mouth defects using a central island tongue flap has not gained the popularity it deserves.
Fischinger
Janez
J
Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Cervicofacial Surgery, University Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia. Janez.Fischinger@guest.arnes.si
Zargi
Miha
M
D000368:Aged; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth / Q000601:surgery*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014059:Tongue / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome