Beavertail modification of the radial forearm free flap in base of tongue reconstruction: technique and functional outcomes.
BACKGROUND
Head and neck oncologists are often confronted with the difficult challenge of balancing cancer cure with the preservation of function when deciding the patient's best treatment protocol. This task is especially difficult in cancer of the base of tongue. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the beavertail modification of the radial forearm-free flap in base of tongue reconstruction.


METHODS
Thirty-one consecutive patients treated for base of tongue cancer with primary surgery were followed prospectively. The technique of the beavertail modification is described. Swallowing and speech function were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively.


RESULTS
All the flaps survived. Thirty (97%) patients started consuming oral diet within 1 year, and all had normal speech intelligibility.


CONCLUSIONS
The beavertail modification of the radial forearm arm flap seems to provide the reconstructive elements that allow patients with large base of tongue extirpations to develop functional swallowing and speech production postoperatively.
Seikaly
Hadi
H
Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. hadiseikaly@cha.ab.ca
Rieger
Jana
J
O'Connell
Daniel
D
Ansari
Khalid
K
Alqahtani
Khalid
K
Harris
Jeffrey
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D003679:Deglutition / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005542:Forearm; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013060:Speech / Q000502:physiology; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome