title: [The application of free tissue flap in simultaneous reconstruction of defects after tongue cancer].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To discuss the feasibility of using free tissue flap for simultaneous tongue reconstruction after tongue cancer resection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Radial forearm flaps and anterolateral thigh flaps were used for simultaneous reconstruction of different defects after tongue cancer resection in 47 cases. The functional evaluation was assessed during the follow-up period of 3 months to 9 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Only one flap failed,giving a success rate of 97.7%. The 36 patient available for postoperative follow-up were all able to communicate in basic languages and eat normally. Among them, normal speech was found in 34, while slurred speech was found in two. 31 patients could eat normal diet ,while eight could eat soft diet and two could eat liquid diet.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Simultaneous tongue reconstruction with free tissue flap is a reliable method with high successful rate. Flaps selection based on different tongue defects is the key point to achieve good functional and cosmetic results for the reconstruction tongue.
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, Pecking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100730, China.
authors.forename: Ye
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, Pecking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100730, China.
authors.forename: Tao
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, Pecking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100730, China.
authors.forename: Yong-Ning
authors.initials: YN
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, Pecking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100730, China.
authors.forename: Ji-Zhi
authors.initials: JZ
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, Pecking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100730, China.
authors.forename: Li-Jiang
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, Pecking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100730, China.
authors.forename: Tian-Yin
authors.initials: TY
authors.lastname: Shi
authors.affiliation: Department of Stomatology, Pecking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing 100730, China.
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ma
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*