[Clinical application of free thoracoacromial artery perforator flap in reconstruction of tongue and mouth floor defects after resection of tongue carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical outcome of free thoracoacromial artery perforator (TAAP) flap in the reconstruction of tongue and mouth floor defects after radical resection of tongue carcinoma.

METHODS

Between May 2010 and February 2015, 11 cases of tongue carcinoma underwent radical resection and reconstruction of tongue and mouth floor defects with free TAAP flaps. The locations of tongue carcinoma were the lingual margin in 7 cases, the ventral tongue in 2 cases, and the mouth floor in 2 cases. According to Union for International Cancer Control (UICC) TNM stage, 3 cases were classified as T 4N 0M 0, 3 cases as T 4N lM 0, 2 cases as T 3N 1M 0, 2 cases as T 3N 2M 0, and 1 case as T 3N 0M 0. The disease duration ranged from 3 to 28 months, 10.6 months on average. The tumor size ranged from 6.0 cm×3 cm to 10 cm×5 cm. The TAAP flap ranged from 7.0 cm×4.0 cm to 11.0 cm×5.5 cm in size, and 0.6-1.2 cm (0.8 cm on average) in thickness, with a pedicle length of 6.8-9.9 cm (7.2 cm on average).

RESULTS

All 11 flaps survived, the donor site was closed directly and healed primarily in all cases. The patients were followed up 12-24 months (17.2 months on average). The reconstructed tongue had satisfactory appearance and good functions of swallowing and language. No local recurrence was observed during follow-up. Only linear scar was left at the donor site, and the function of pectoralis major muscle was normal.

CONCLUSION

The TAAP flap is an ideal choice in the reconstruction of tongue defect after resection of tongue carcinoma, which has good texture, appearance, and function results.