[An original "double-arched" radial forearm flap for soft palate reconstruction. Case report].
BACKGROUND
Reconstruction of the soft palate after oncologic resection remains a surgical challenge. Speech and swallowing problems are the consequences of velopharyngeal incompetence following soft palate resection. Free tissue transfer like radial forearm flaps can be used in larger defects for complex reconstruction. The conformation of the flap in order to be closer to the shape of the soft palate improves the functional outcome. In the same way, we describe an original "double-arched" flap design.


METHODS
A double arch of the exact length of the soft palate tumor resection is designed. After suturing, the flap spontaneously formed a double arch of the exact dimensions of the resected piece.


RESULTS
The patient achieved good functional recovery without any surgical complications.


CONCLUSIONS
The original "double-arched" forearm flap design allows a tailored reconstruction with exactly the same shape and dimensions, preserving the functional requirements of speech and deglutition.
Service de chirurgie orthopédique, traumatologique, plastique, esthétique et reconstructrice, assistance main, CHU Jean-Minjoz, boulevard Fleming, 25030 Besançon, France; EA 4268, IFR 133, Inserm I4S, pôle innovation et technique chirurgicale, CHU Jean-Minjoz, université de Franche-Comté, 25030 Besançon, France. Electronic address: julien.pauchot@gmail.com.
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Pauchot
Service de chirurgie orthopédique, traumatologique, plastique, esthétique et reconstructrice, assistance main, CHU Jean-Minjoz, boulevard Fleming, 25030 Besançon, France; EA 4268, IFR 133, Inserm I4S, pôle innovation et technique chirurgicale, CHU Jean-Minjoz, université de Franche-Comté, 25030 Besançon, France.
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Feuvrier
Service de chirurgie orthopédique, traumatologique, plastique, esthétique et reconstructrice, assistance main, CHU Jean-Minjoz, boulevard Fleming, 25030 Besançon, France; EA 4268, IFR 133, Inserm I4S, pôle innovation et technique chirurgicale, CHU Jean-Minjoz, université de Franche-Comté, 25030 Besançon, France.
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Pluvy
EA 4268, IFR 133, Inserm I4S, pôle innovation et technique chirurgicale, CHU Jean-Minjoz, université de Franche-Comté, 25030 Besançon, France; Service de chirurgie ORL, CHU Jean-Minjoz, boulevard Fleming, 25030 Besançon, France.
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Floret
EA 4268, IFR 133, Inserm I4S, pôle innovation et technique chirurgicale, CHU Jean-Minjoz, université de Franche-Comté, 25030 Besançon, France; Service de chirurgie ORL, CHU Jean-Minjoz, boulevard Fleming, 25030 Besançon, France.
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Mauvais
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000601:surgery; D005542:Forearm / Q000601:surgery*; D058752:Free Tissue Flaps; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D010160:Palate, Soft / Q000601:surgery*
Cancer oropharyngé; Lambeau antébrachial libre; Oropharyngeal cancer; Palais mou; Radial forearm free flap; Reconstruction; Soft palate