Assessing the suitability of medial sural artery perforator flaps in tongue reconstruction - An outcome study

Shao Yu Hung, Charles Yuen Yung Loh, Soo Ha Kwon, Chia Hsuan Tsai, Kai Ping Chang, Huang Kai Kao

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

21 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: Oncological resection of the tongue can be reconstructed using a multitude of free flaps. The medial sural artery perforator (MSAP) flap has been well described in the literature in terms of its anatomy and harvest. However, functional outcome studies of post-reconstruction tongue defects using the MSAP flap have not been reported. This study represents the largest outcome study of patients with tongue reconstructions using MSAP flaps and a comprehensive review of its use. Materials and methods: From December of 2010 to October of 2015, 579 patients with subtotal glossectomy and free flap reconstructions in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital were retrospectively reviewed. 27 patients were reconstructed with MSAP flap. The pre- and intra-operative factors, as well as flap-related factors were analyzed. Post-operative complications and functional outcomes were evaluated. Donor site assessment were also conducted. Results: A 96.3% flap survival rate was found with an average total operating time of 6 hours and 18 minutes. 84.6% of patients had primary closure of the donor site with and the remaining either had skin grafts or delayed closure. Donor site closure can be achieved primarily with no functional deficit. Speech intelligibility remained for most patients. 100% of patients resumed normal oral feeding. Conclusion: The MSAP flap is a small to medium sized flap most suited for subtotal glossectomy defects where optimal outcomes can be achieved in terms of speech clarity and restoration of oral intake.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere0171570
JournalPLoS ONE
Volume12
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 02 2017

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2017 Hung et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Assessing the suitability of medial sural artery perforator flaps in tongue reconstruction - An outcome study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this