Function of the sensate free forearm flap after partial glossectomy

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• 作者：Federico Biglioli ; Fabio Liviero ; Alice Frigerio ; Angela Rezzonico ; Roberto Brusati
• 关键词：anterolateral thigh flap ; vastus lateralis flap ; spectrum of indications ; soft tissue reconstruction ; head and neck
• 刊名：Journal of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery
• 出版年：2006
• 出版时间：September 2006
• 年：2006
• 卷：34
• 期：6
• 页码：332-339
• 全文大小：274 K

文摘

To compare functional recovery of sensitive free forearm flaps with non-sensitive free forearm flaps, following reconstruction for partial glossectomy.

Material

Sixteen patients underwent partial glossectomy for oncological reasons, of whom: nine patients underwent repair with non-sensitive free forearm flaps (group A) and seven with sensitive free flaps (group B).

Methods

All patients underwent the following tests: (1) tactile sensitivity evaluation, localization of stimulus, sharp/blunt definition, discrimination between two points (static and dynamic), thermal sensitivity to heat/cold; (2) speech evaluation by means of the modified Fanzago test; (3) subjective evaluation concerning the degree of satisfaction of the following functions: swallowing, feeding and talking.

Results

The sensitivity and logopaedic evaluation tests and the subjective evaluation charts highlight an overall better functional recovery of the sensitive repair than the non-sensitive ones.

Conclusion

In patients who have undergone partial glossectomy repair with free forearm neurofasciocutaneous flaps allow good recovery of oral functions and, therefore, a good quality of life.