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Tongue Reconstruction with Buccinator Myomucosal Island Flaps: Technical Considerations, Oncologic Safety, Functional Outcomes and QoL Assessment—A Retrospective Observational Study

by Olindo Massarelli, Luigi Angelo Vaira, Salvatore Crimi, Giovanni Salzano, Linda Latini, Alberto Bianchi, Paolo Gennaro and Giacomo De Riu

J. Pers. Med. 2023, 13(6), 879; https://doi.org/10.3390/jpm13060879 - 23 May 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 3648

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of buccinator myomucosal island flaps for tongue reconstruction following malignant tumor resections. A retrospective study was performed on 52 patients who underwent tongue reconstructions with buccinator myomucosal island flaps between 2012 and 2020. We reviewed the flap type and size, harvesting time, recipient- and donor-site complications, postoperative oncologic outcomes, functional recovery and QoL assessment. All of the flaps were transposed successfully without any total flap loss. Neither in the primary site nor in the neck were cancer relapses observed. An evaluation of the sensitivity revealed that 96.1% of patients experienced a recovery of touch, two-point and pain sensations. There were significant differences between the flap and the native mucosa in terms of the tactile (p < 0.001), pain (p < 0.001) and two-point (p < 0.001) thresholds. The average swallowing score recorded was 6.1 out of 7, with only minor complaints. The quality of life assessments demonstrated high scores across physical (24.5 out of 28), social (25.8 out of 28), emotional (20.3 out of 24) and functional (25 out of 28) aspects. The present study showed how buccinator myomucosal island flaps represent an effective and functional tongue reconstructive option, requiring a short operative time with a low rate of donor site morbidity, and with evidence of long-term oncologic safety and high quality of life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Multidisciplinary Therapeutic Strategies in Head and Neck Surgery)

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4 pages, 192 KiB

Open AccessShort Note

Contralateral Islanded Facial Artery Myomucosal Flap for the Reconstruction of Floor of the Mouth Defect

by Naveen B. Shivanand, Mihir T. Mohan and Shawn T. Joseph

Craniomaxillofac. Trauma Reconstr. 2018, 11(2), 157-160; https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0037-1604071 - 21 Jul 2017

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 80

Abstract

Reconstruction of floor of the mouth and ventral surface of the tongue defects can be challenging because inadequate correction can lead to mobility restriction of the tongue and resultant impairment of speech and swallowing. Ideal flap should be pliable, provide adequate bulk, be easy to harvest, and cosmetically acceptable. Commonly used ipsilateral facial artery–based myomucosal flaps may not be ideal if facial vessels need resection. We share our experience in a case of simultaneous primary mucoepidermoid carcinoma of right submandibular and sublingual glands, with a postsurgical defect involving floor of the mouth and ventral surface of the tongue, reconstructed with islanded facial artery myomucosal flap raised from left buccal mucosa and tunneled into the right floor of the mouth defect medial to mandible. The case is being reported to share the method of reconstruction as well as for the rare presentation of simultaneous primary mucoepidermoid carcinoma of multiple major salivary glands. Full article

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