title: Functional tongue reconstruction with the anterolateral thigh flap.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate the advantages of anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap in tongue reconstruction.
  
  
  METHODS
  From September 2008 to February 2012, patients receiving ALT flap tongue reconstruction were included in the study. Patients undergoing ALT flap were compared with those undergoing similar surgery with radial forearm flap (RFF). The medical records of the included patients were reviewed, and a questionnaire was used to assess acceptability of the surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All flaps (both ALT and RFF) were successful In the ALT group, most patients were satisfied with the appearance of the reconstructed tongue and the intelligibility of their speech, and there were fewer complications with this technique compared with the RFF.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The ALT flap is an ideal method for tongue reconstruction. The thickness and volume of the ALT flap can be adjusted based on the individual extent of the defect, and it can not only provide bulk but also ensure mobility, and it has other advantages also, including a long pedicle and low donor site morbidity.
authors.forename: Xue
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Guangqi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Yan
authors.forename: Guirong
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jiqiang
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Jihui
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: School of Stomatology, China Medical University, No, 117, Nanjing North Street, Heping District, Shenyang, Liaoning 110002, PR China. wang666666xue@163.com.
authors.forename: Yang
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013848:Thigh / Q000601:surgery*; D014059:Tongue / Q000601:surgery*; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*