Arch Plast Surg.  2012 Nov;39(6):655-658. 10.5999/aps.2012.39.6.655.

Soft Palate Reconstruction Using Bilateral Palatal Mucomuscular Flap and Pharyngeal Flap after Resection of Squamous Cell Carcinoma

• Kim JS
• Jo HJ
• Kim NG
• Lee KS

• KMID: 2120718
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5999/aps.2012.39.6.655

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma infrequently occurs at the soft palate. Although various methods can be used for reconstruction of soft palate defects that occur after resecting squamous cell carcinoma, it is difficult to obtain satisfactory results from the perspective of the functional restoration of the soft palate. A combination of bilateral palatal mucomuscular flap for the oral side and superiorly based posterior pharyngeal flap for the nasal side were performed on two patients who were diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the soft palate in order to reconstruct the soft palate defects after surgical resection. After surgery, the patients were followed-up for a mean period of 11 months. The flaps were well maintained in both patients. The donor site defects were epithelialized and completely recovered. Additionally, no recurrence of the primary sites was shown. Slight hyponasality was observed in the voice assessments that were conducted 6 months after surgery. No food regurgitation or aspiration was observed in the swallowing tests. We used a combination of bilateral palatal mucomuscular flap and superiorly based posterior pharyngeal flap to reconstruct the soft palate defects that occurred after resecting the squamous cell carcinomas. We reduced the donor site complications and achieved functionally satisfactory outcomes.

Keyword

Soft palate; Squamous cell carcinoma; Head and neck neoplasms; Surgical flaps

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
Deglutition
Head and Neck Neoplasms
Humans
Palate, Soft
Recurrence
Surgical Flaps
Tissue Donors
Voice