[Using the lower medial leg fasciocutaneous flap to repair soft tissue defects at root of tongue].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical value of lower medial leg fasciocutaneous flap for the repair of soft tissue defects at root of tongue. METHODS: 4 cases of soft tissue defects at root of tongue were underwent surgery with lower medial leg fasciocutaneous flaps. This paper describes in detail the anatomy of the flap, technique of make up the flap, advantages and disadvantages, and its clinical applications. RESULTS: All the 4 flaps were got successfully one stage repair. A satisfied reconstruction were attained, the transplanted skin grafts on the defect regions of lower medial leg survived without necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: The lower medial leg fasciocutaneous flaps is a good method for the repair of the defect reconstruction at the root of tongue. The soft tissue defects at root of tongue can be used the flap combined with partial soleus. The flaps not only has thin fat and soft quality, but also is far away from the region of head and neck. The donor site is blanket with less damage.

[Changes of masticatory muscles after occlusal recovery in rats with unilateral chew].

PURPOSE: To study the effect of occlusal recovery on masticatory muscles in rats with unilateral chew. METHODS: 40 white rats were divided into two experimental groups and two control groups. The right upper and lower posterior teeth of all the rats were ground to the gingival level without occlusal contact. The rats of the first experimental and control group were killed 10 weeks late,those of the second groups were killed 16 weeks late. The pathological changes of masticatory muscles were studied. SPSS 10.0 software package was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: There was significant correlation between the first experimental group and control group in the damage of masticatory muscles (Chi(2)=40, P<0.01). However,there was no significant correlation between the second experimental group and control group in the damage of masticatory muscles (Chi(2)=3.66, P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Early occlusal recovery can rehabilitate the damage of masticatory muscles in rats with unilateral chew.

[Significance of VEGF expression and microvessel count in oral carcinoma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical significance of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) expression in oral carcinomas. METHODS: Immunohistochemical staining(SABC) was used to quantify VEGF expression in specimens from 56 patients with oral carcinomas. SPSS statistical software was used for analysis. RESULTS: VEGF expression was observed in 29 of the patients(51.8%). The microvessel count was significantly higher (P < 0.05) in the oral carcinomas with VEGF expression than in the oral carcinomas without it. In the clinicopathologic factors, lymph node metastasis(P < 0.05) and differentiated degree (P < 0.05) were significantly correlated with VEGF expression, but there was no significantly correlation between the clinicopathologic stage and VEGF positive expression. The 5-year survival rate after curative surgery was better in the patients without VEGF expression (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study indicates that VEGF expression is associated with angiogenesis, VEGF is one of the main angiogenic factors for oral carcinomas. Quantification of VEGF in oral tissues may provide a valuable marker for the prognosis of patients with oral carcinomas.