Functional effects of a free jejunum flap used for reconstruction in the oropharyngeal region.

Postoperative articulatory function was assessed in 5 patients who had had radical operations for cancers of the oropharyngeal region with surgical reconstruction using free jejunum flaps. A patient with total resection of the soft palate had the lowest scores of 39.9%. 4 patients with less resection than total removal of the soft palate had good scores (86.0%), and the articulatory dysfunction was limited only in plosive sounds produced in the velar region. A comparative study with glossectomized patients revealed that those who had had resection of the oropharynx achieved excellent articulation except for sounds produced in the velar region. The importance of operative function was stressed, to evaluate indications for the surgical technique for reconstruction of large tissue defects after ablation of head and neck cancers, and to improve the quality of life of those patients.