title: [Early effectiveness of posterior radial collateral artery perforator compound flap for reconstruction of tongue defects after tumor excision].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To summary the application and effectiveness of the posterior radial collateral artery (PRCA) compound flap in reconstruction of soft tissue defect after tongue cancer excision.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between August 2011 and October 2011, 5 patients with squamous cell carcinoma underwent tongue defects reconstruction with compound flap with extended lateral arm free flap (ELAFF) and triceps muscle flap (TMF) after ablation in one-stage. All patients were male with an average age of 59 years (range, 43-71 years). The disease duration was 25-60 days (mean, 42 days). After extended resection, 3 cases had 1/3 tongue and mouth floor defect, and 2 cases had 1/2 tongue and mouth floor defect. The size of ELAFF ranged from 7 cm x 5 cm to 9 cm x 5 cm, and the size of TMF ranged from 3 cm x 3 cm to 4 cm x 4 cm. The donor sites were directly sutured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All compound flaps survived. The wounds at donor sites and recipient sites healed primarily. The patients were followed up 6 months. After operation, the tongue had good appearance and motion; the patients had clear voice and no dysphagia. No recurrence was observed during follow-up. Local numbness appeared at the donor sites, but the function of the elbows was normal.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The application of the compound flap of ELAFF and TMF based on PRCA perforator is a better option to reconstruct tongue defects for its reliable blood supply, appropriate thickness, easy operative procedures, and less complication.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Institute and Hospital of Stomatology, Nanjing University Medical School, Nanjing Jiangsu, 210008, P.R.China. chenyongsurgeon@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Yong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xudong
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Qingang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm / Q000098:blood supply / Q000601:surgery; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000637:transplantation*; D017534:Radial Artery / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000601:surgery; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017695:Soft Tissue Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps / Q000098:blood supply; D014059:Tongue / Q000601:surgery*; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing