What is a tongue flap?

The tongue flap is a robust, versatile flap that can be used for reconstruction of oral, pharyngeal, and perioral defects of congenital, traumatic, and ablative origin. The rich blood supply and ease of use make the tongue flap a reliable and predictable reconstructive technique for indicated defects.

What is a palatal fistula?

Palatal fistula was defined as a failure of healing or a break- down in the primary surgical repair of the palate, resulting in a patency between the oral and nasal cavities that persisted for at least 1 year after surgery.

Can you talk after tongue surgery?

If you had surgery to your voice box, mouth, jaw, tongue or throat you will have problems talking after your operation. This can be frustrating and you may feel you have no control over things. Staff will be aware of this. You will have a call bell close by so you can call for help if you need it.

Can you live without tongue?

But, with a lot of practice, anything is possible. Talking without a tongue is possible. For Cynthia Zamora, simply being able to talk is nothing short of miraculous. Three years ago, doctors found a tumor that covered more than half her tongue.

When to use local flaps for tongue reconstruction?

Healing by secondary intention, primary closure, local flaps or the technique of tongue set-back may be used in cases of limited tissue resection. In cases involving larger tissue loss, pectoralis major and latissimus dorsi pedicle flaps have been used for over 20 years.

How is tongue cancer treated after a surgery?

Treating Tongue Cancer: Reconstruction After Surgery. Tongue cancer typically occurs on one side of the tongue. The main treatment is surgery, which can require removal of a significant amount of tissue. Chepeha says doctors typically allow the remaining portion of the tongue to heal or place a skin graft over the area.

What are the advantages of microvascular tongue reconstruction?

The advantages of microvascular reconstruction of the tongue are: freedom of flap placement without tethering; the possibility of bone reconstruction; and the possibility to model and design the desired form. 9 and the fibular flap.

Is there a way to reconstruct the tongue?

But that can leave patients with trouble speaking, eating and swallowing. Chepeha and his colleagues are using a reconstructive technique, using a graft from the patient’s own body, to improve the aesthetics and function of the tongue.