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Sensory recovery of myomucosal flap oral cavity reconstructions
Author(s) -
Massarelli Olindo,
Vaira Luigi Angelo,
Biglio Andrea,
Gobbi Roberta,
Dell'aversana Orabona Giovanni,
De Riu Giacomo
Publication year - 2018
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.25000
Subject(s) - oral cavity , sensory system , medicine , dentistry , psychology , neuroscience
Background Sensory restoration of the oral cavity is a primary aim of reconstructive surgery in posttraumatic or postablative defects. Sensitivity plays a key role in oral function, whose impairment strongly affects the patient's quality of life. Cheek myomucosal flaps provide a reliable and tissue‐like reconstruction of these regions but their sensitive recovery, which we still know little about, deserves thorough assessment. Methods In this retrospective study, the myomucosal cheek flaps were tested for different aspects of sensory recovery: touch; 2‐point discrimination; pain; sharp/smooth discrimination; ability to feel hot/cold stimulus; stereognosis; and taste. Results Fifty‐two myomucosal flap reconstructions were investigated. All sensitivity tests showed positive results. When comparison was possible, sensitivity seemed significantly close to the contralateral healthy side. Sensory recovery proved to be even better than that reported on reinnervated microvascular free flap reconstructions of the oral cavity. Conclusion Myomucosal flap reconstruction demonstrated a high degree of sensory recovery.