title: Oral functional outcome after intraoral reconstruction with nasolabial flaps.
abstract: In this study, the functional and aesthetic outcome of patients with nasolabial flaps in the floor of the mouth was examined. Sixteen patients underwent reconstruction of the floor of the mouth with 19 nasolabial flaps after resection of a squamous cell carcinoma. Eight patients received postoperative radiotherapy. The patients were questioned concerning oral disabilities. Speech, mastication, deglutition, oral continence and the aesthetic result were evaluated. Two-point discrimination, temperature sensation and blunt-sharp discrimination of the intraoral flaps were tested. Speech and the wearing of dentures were hardly affected. Consumption of solid foods caused moderate problems in half of the patients. No sensibility problems were found. The aesthetic deformity was minimal. The use of nasolabial flaps in patients with limited defects of the anterior floor of the mouth after tumor resection showed adequate functional and aesthetic results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, University Hospital Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. sophofer@hotmail.com
authors.forename: E I
authors.initials: EI
authors.lastname: Hofstra
authors.forename: S O P
authors.initials: SO
authors.lastname: Hofer
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Nauta
authors.forename: J L N
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Roodenburg
authors.forename: D H E
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Lichtendahl
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008046:Lip / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009055:Mouth / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D009666:Nose / Q000601:surgery; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome