Ablation of advanced tongue or base of tongue cancer and reconstruction with free flap: Functional outcomes

Abstract Background: Reconstruction with free flap after the resection of tongue cancer is commonly used by craniofacial surgeons. However, it is unknown whether the reconstruction with free flap is better than the primary closure for the T1 stage tongue cancer. The objective of this prospective study is to compare the functional outcomes between these two methods.Methods: In this prospective study, 30 patients who were diagnosed as T1 stage tongue cancer (on anterior -two third of the tongue) were randomly divided into two groups. The first group underwent the primary closure after the resection (15 patients) and the second group were reconstructed with the anterolateral perforator flap (15 patients). All patients underwent postoperative functional evaluation using specific questionnaires and a screening test with special emphasis on speech, swallowing, and tongue mobility at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months.Results: Functional outcomes, including tongue mobility, speech, and swallowing, were all better in primary closure than anterolateral thigh flap group. At 1-month post-op, the speech understandability of the patients who received a primary closure were statistically better than those who received ALT flap (p = 0.01), while at 1-year post-op, there was no significantly different on speech understandability between two groups (p = 0.16). Statistically significant differences were found between the two groups in the swallowing capacity at all four different time periods (p < 0.05). For the primary closure group, tongue mobility was statistically better at all four different time periods than in ALT flap group (p < 0.05).Conclusion: For the tongue cancer patients (T1), reconstruction with primary closure, rather than with flap, can reserve more functions including tongue mobility, speech and swallowing outcomes, and therefore might be the appropriate reconstruction method after partial glossectomy.

Download Full-text

Beavertail modification of the radial forearm free flap in base of tongue reconstruction: Technique and functional outcomes

Head & Neck ◽

10.1002/hed.20953 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 31 (2) ◽

pp. 213-219 ◽

Cited By ~ 30

Author(s):

Hadi Seikaly ◽

Jana Rieger ◽

Daniel O'Connell ◽

Khalid Ansari ◽

Khalid AlQahtani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Free Flap ◽

Functional Outcomes ◽

Reconstruction Technique ◽

Radial Forearm Free Flap ◽

Base Of Tongue ◽

Radial Forearm ◽

Tongue Reconstruction

Download Full-text

Preliminary Functional Outcomes and Quality of Life after Tongue Reconstruction with the Vastus Lateralis Myofascial Free Flap

Facial Plastic Surgery ◽

10.1055/s-0041-1726445 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Armando De Virgilio ◽

Andrea Costantino ◽

Raul Pellini ◽

Gerardo Petruzzi ◽

Giuseppe Mercante ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Head And Neck ◽

Free Flap ◽

Functional Outcomes ◽

Vastus Lateralis ◽

Life Questionnaire ◽

Donor Area ◽

Tongue Reconstruction ◽

Eortc Qlq

AbstractThe aim of the present study is to report our preliminary experience with the vastus lateralis myofascial free flap (VLMFF) for tongue reconstruction according to tongue and donor site functional outcomes. Twelve consecutive patients (F: 5; median age: 54.0 years, interquartile range or IQR 42.75–69.0) were included. The validated European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer of the Head and Neck 35 Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-H&N35) and the performance status scale for head and neck cancer (PSS-HN) questionnaires were used to assess the health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The lower extremity functional scale (LEFS) was used to self-report the donor area function. All patients were successfully treated, and no VLMFF failure was detected during a median follow-up period of 10.5 months (IQR: 6.5–33.0). The HRQOL showed a median EORTC QLQ-H&N35 score of 56.0 (IQR: 50.0–72.5). The median PSS-HN score was 80.0 (IQR: 45.0–95.0), 75.0 (IQR: 62.5–100.0), 75.0 (IQR: 62.5–100.0) for “Normalcy of Diet,” “Public Eating,” and “Understandability of Speech,” respectively. The self-reported function of the lower extremities (donor area) showed a median LEFS of 59.0 (IQR: 32.5–74.0). This study reports optimistic data regarding the functional and quality of life outcomes after tongue reconstruction using VLMFF. Prospective controlled studies are needed to demonstrate advantages and disadvantages when compared with other reconstructive techniques.

Download Full-text