The impact of dynamic tongue reconstruction using functional muscle transfer: A retrospective review of 94 cases with functional outcome analysis for various glossectomy defects

Functional Reconstruction of a Hemiglossectomy Defect With an Innervated Musculocutaneous Submental Artery Island Flap

“…However, reconstruction with these non-innervated flaps makes the neo-tongue a rather static structure, resulting in volume loss and mobility limitations. To overcome this concern, dynamic reconstruction with motor-reinervated free flaps was introduced, maintaining muscle tone, volume, and mobility of the neo-tongue [ 5 ]. Thus, the innervated musculocutaneous submental artery island flap is a suitable alternative to microsurgical free tissue transfer for the functional reconstruction of tongue defects following cancer resection.…”

Evaluating Head and Neck Reconstruction Outcomes Proves Difficult—Seeking Improvement in Reporting

“…In tongue cancer reconstruction alone there have been many reports that include terms such as hemiglossectomy, partial glossectomy and total glossectomy. However, within these studies, it is not always clear if the floor of the mouth or other adjacent structures, such as extrinsic tongue muscles, suprahyoid muscles, mandible, maxilla, or retromolar trigone, were involved in the ablation (Box [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9] ). 3,10 Without a clear description of what is removed, it is impossible for the reconstructive surgeon to fully evaluate the results presented in the study (Box).…”