Application Of Free Forearm Flaps In Tongue Reconstruction

OBJECTIVE To sum up the experiences of tongue repair after radical operation of tongue carcinoma with free forearm flap.METHODS From June 2006 to June 2008,20 patients with advanced tongue cancer were carried out tongue cervico-mandibular joint radical mastectomy,who hospitalized in our hospital,the soft tissue defect of tongue cancer surgery was repaired immediately with forearm free flap.Information was collected by the way of history search,out-patient review,telephone follow-up etc.,data is analyzed and summarized.RESULT Among 20 cases of radial forearm free flap reconstruction of the tongue transplant,one for vascular crisis,exploration found that was cephalic vein thrombosis,took out thrombosis and repeated washing vein lumen with Heparin saline solution.Blood flow of the flap could not be restored,and then removal of the flap.Two for hematoma formation,no further bleeding after hematoma removal.During postoperative follow-up of 6 months to 12 months,3 cases of tongue base cancer slightly fuzzy voice and mild dysphagia,the remaining patients showed good speech and swallow function,with normal tongu emobility.CONCLUSION Forearm free flap transplantation is a ideal method to repair the defect of semi-tongue.Closely observe the flap blood supply,timely treatment of vascular crisis flap are the key to survival.Sensory flap is conducive to the restoration of sensory function of the tongue.