title: [Reconstruction of large through-and-through palate defects with folded free forearm flap].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the reconstruction method of large through-and-through palate defects.
  
  
  METHODS
  From 2003 to 2006, 7 cases of large through-and-through palate defects were reconstructed with vascularized folded free forearm flap. 8 flaps were used, including 7 free forearm flaps and 1 pectoralis major myocutaneous flap.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All the tissue flaps survived well except one flap necrosis because of arterial thrombosis. The appearance of reconstructed palate was acceptable, and the functions of swallowing and speech were normal or almost normal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is feasible and effective to repair large through-and-through palate defects with folded free forearm flap.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730, China.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yong-Ning
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Ji-Zhi
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Qian
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Li-Jiang
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Xue-Chuan
authors.initials: XC
authors.lastname: Yan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005542:Forearm / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010159:Palate / Q000293:injuries*; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D016038:Skin Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D055815:Young Adult