Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2007 Nov;50(11):1017-1022.

Soft Palate Reconstruction in Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancers

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Otolaryngology-HNS, The Catholic University of Korea College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. entkms@catholic.ac.kr

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Various kinds of flaps are used for reconstruction of defected soft palate, and with these, physiologic functions can be preserved. We report the clinical results of our 44 consecutive soft palate reconstructions in oral and oropharyngeal cancers.
SUBJECTS AND METHOD
We reviewed the medical records of patients who were offered soft palate reconstruction with various kinds of flaps after ablative surgery of oral and oropharyngeal cancer from July 1997 to July 2004 and analyzed primary site, resection area of soft palate, reconstruction methods and postoperative functions using Modified barium swallow (MBS), articulation and resonance test.
RESULTS
Various kinds of flaps were used according to the resected area of soft palate. In cases of resection area less than 1/3 (63.6%), the reconstruction methods were local flap (7.1%), rectus abdominis myocutaneous flap (3.6%), lateral thigh free flap (LTFF)(3.6%), and radial forearm free flap (RFFF)(85.7%). In cases of resection area that is more than 1/3 of the total resection, all cases were reconstructed with RFFF, combining more complex techniques such as double folding, palmaris longus tendon, and superiorly-based pharyngeal flap. Velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) was examined in only 2 (11.8%) patients, and in residue after swallowing was examined in 10 (41.2%) patients. Postoperative pronunciation was 'good' in 15 (68.2%) patients.
CONCLUSION
In oral and oropharyngeal cancer, reconstruction of resected soft palate using various kinds of flaps is very useful and effective in postoperative physiologic functions such as in swallowing and pronunciation.

Keyword

Mouth neoplasms; Oropharyngeal neoplasms; Palate; Reconstruction; Recovery of function

MeSH Terms

Barium
Deglutition
Forearm
Free Tissue Flaps
Humans
Medical Records
Mouth Neoplasms
Mouth*
Myocutaneous Flap
Oropharyngeal Neoplasms*
Palate
Palate, Soft*
Recovery of Function
Rectus Abdominis
Tendons
Thigh
Velopharyngeal Insufficiency
Barium
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