Islanded facial artery musculomucosal flap for tongue reconstruction

Abstract

Reconstruction of the tongue can be achieved by means of various local, regional, and microvascular free flaps. Local flaps commonly used for tongue reconstruction include the nasolabial flap, submental flap, infrahyoid flap, and pedicled facial artery musculomucosal (FAMM) flap. The purpose of this article is to propose a technical modification to the FAMM flap for the reconstruction of small to medium-sized tongue defects post tumour excision: islanding the flap and tunnelling it from the lingual aspect of the mandible in a single-stage procedure. Islanding of the FAMM flap was found to be an extremely useful modification, giving excellent range of movement for the flap and eliminating the need for revision in a second stage procedure.

Keywords: FAMM flap; squamous cell carcinoma.