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Comparative Study
. 2013 Dec;33(6):374-9.

Functional results of microvascular reconstruction after hemiglossectomy: free anterolateral thigh flap versus free forearm flap

A Tarsitano  1 , M V Vietti  2 , R Cipriani  2 , C Marchetti  1
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Functional results of microvascular reconstruction after hemiglossectomy: free anterolateral thigh flap versus free forearm flap

A Tarsitano et al. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital. 2013 Dec.

Abstract
in English, Italian

The aim of the present study is to assess functional outcomes after hemiglossectomy and microvascular reconstruction. Twenty-six patients underwent primary tongue microvascular reconstruction after hemiglossectomy. Twelve patients were reconstructed using a free radial forearm flap and 14 with an anterolateral thigh flap. Speech intelligibility, swallowing capacity and quality of life scores were assessed. Factors such as tumour extension, surgical resection and adjuvant radiotherapy appeared to be fundamental to predict post-treatment functional outcomes. The data obtained in the present study indicate that swallowing capacity after hemiglossectomy is better when an anterolateral thigh flap is used. No significant differences were seen for speech intelligibility or quality of life between free radial forearm flap and anterolateral thigh flap.

Lo scopo del presente studio è di valutare i risultati funzionali delle ricostruzioni linguali microvascolari in seguito ad emiglossectomia. Venti sei pazienti sono stati sottoposti a ricostruzione microvascolare primaria. Dodici di questi sono stati ricostruiti usando il lembo libero radiale e quattordici usando il lembo anterolaterale di coscia. L'intellegibilità del linguaggio, la capacità deglutitoria e la qualità della vita sono stati i parametri considerati nella valutazione dei risultati. Variabili legate all'estensione del tumore, alla resezione chirurgica ed al trattamento adiuvante sono risultati essere fondamenti nel predire i risultati funzionali post-operatori. I dati ottenuti da tale studio hanno mostrato come la capacità deglutitoria sia sensibilmente migliore nelle ricostruzioni con il lembo libero anterolaterale di coscia rispetto al lembo radiale. Non altrettanto significative sono risultate le differenze tra le due modalità ricostruttive per quanto riguarda l'intellegibilità del linguaggio.

Keywords: Free anterolateral thigh flap; Free radial forearm flap; Functional outcomes; Hemiglossectomy; Microsurgery.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
A. hemiglossectomy through a trans-mandibular approach. B. Tongue appearance after microvascular reconstruction using a free radial forearm flap at 12 months post-operatively. C. Surgical specimen. D. Free radial forearm flap.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Tongue reconstruction after hemiglossectomy. Left side: hemiglossectomy through a trans-mandibular approach. Right side: Tongue appearance after microvascular reconstruction using an anterolateral thigh flap at 12 months post-operatively.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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