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Free profunda femoris artery perforator flap as a first‐line choice of reconstruction for partial glossectomy defects
Author(s) -
Fernández–Riera Ricardo,
Hung ShaoYu,
Wu Jerry ChihWei,
Tsao ChungKan
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.24675
Subject(s) - medicine , swallowing , glossectomy , surgery , head and neck , hematoma , free flap , demographics , population , tongue , demography , environmental health , pathology , sociology
ABSTRACT Background Free profunda artery perforator (PAP) flap has recently been brought back for head and neck reconstruction. During the course of 1 year, we performed this procedure for reconstruction of partial glossectomy defects with excellent results. Methods From January through December 2015, 21 patients underwent partial glossectomy reconstruction with PAP flaps. Demographics, surgical technique, anatomic variations, success rates, complications, and characteristics are described. Swallowing and speech results after reconstruction are evaluated. Results No donor‐site complications were observed. Two cases presented complications potentially related to the flap (1 hematoma and 1 prolonged intubation) that were treated successfully. Deglutition and speech assessment resulted in fair to excellent swallowing capacity in all patients. Speech score resulted 4/5 to 5/5 in all patients at 3‐month follow‐up. Conclusion The PAP flap should be considered one of the first‐line options for hemiglossectomy reconstruction, receiving special consideration in the high‐risk population in which future complex reconstructions could be needed. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 39: 737–743, 2017