The tongue flap for large palatal fistulas, a success or a failure? Our 15-year experience.

Large palatal fistulas after cleft palate surgery are difficult to treat using local mucoperiosteal flaps alone, particularly if multiple attempts to close the fistulas have resulted in tissue scarring. In this study, we present our 15-year surgical experience with tongue flaps for large palatal fistulas. A total of 34 patients who underwent tongue flap surgery at our institution between January 2000 and January 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. An anteriorly-based dorsal tongue flap was used for the treatment of anteriorly localized large palatal fistulas in all patients. Data including demographic characteristics of the patients, previous surgeries, localization of the fistula, time between the first and second surgery, and complications were recorded. Factors affecting the surgical success were evaluated. Of the patients, 21 were males and 13 were females with a mean age of 11.7 ± 6.9 (range: 4 to 29) years. Detachment of the tongue flap was observed in nine patients after surgery. Seven of the patients with detachment were male aged ≤6 years (p < 0.05). Resuturing the flap back to the defect did not significantly affect the results. Our study results suggest that proper patient selection and attentive and rigorous surgical technique have a critical importance in the tongue flap repair and tongue flap is not recommended for patients who are under seven years of age.

Persistent symptomatic anterior oronasal fistulae in patients with Veau type III and IV clefts: A therapeutic protocol and outcomes.

BACKGROUND: The anterior oronasal fistulae neighboring the alveolar cleft could persist or reappear after the alveolar reconstruction with cancellous bone grafting. The persistent symptomatic anterior oronasal fistulae need to be repaired, but surgery remains a challenge in cleft care. Surprisingly, this issue has rarely been reported in the literature. The purpose of this long-term study was to report a single surgeon experience with a therapeutic protocol for persistent symptomatic anterior oronasal fistula repair. METHODS: This is a retrospective study of consecutive patients with Veau type III and IV clefts and persistent symptomatic anterior oronasal fistulae managed according to a therapeutic protocol from 1997 to 2018. Depending on fistula size, patients were treated with local flaps associated with an interpositional graft or two-stage tongue flaps (small/medium or large fistulae, respectively). The surgical outcomes were classified as "good" (complete fistula closure with no symptoms), "fair" (asymptomatic narrow fistula remained), or "poor" (failure with persistent symptoms). RESULTS: Forty-four patients with persistent symptomatic anterior oronasal fistulae were reconstructed with local flaps associated with interpositional fascia or dermal fat grafting (52.3%) or two-stage tongue flaps (47.7%). Most of patients (93.2%) presented "good" outcomes, ranging from 87% to 100% (local and tongue flaps, respectively). Three (6.8%) patients presented symptomatic residual fistula ("poor" outcomes). CONCLUSIONS: For the repair of persistent symptomatic anterior oronasal fistulae, this therapeutic protocol provided satisfactory outcome with low fistula recurrence rate.

Use of an anteriorly based ventral tongue flap to reconstruct the lower vermilion following early-stage cancer ablation.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of lower vermilion defects is surgically challenging. AIMS: This study evaluated whether lower vermilion defects can be repaired using tongue flaps, and the reconstructive outcomes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 11 patients with early-stage lower vermilion cancers who underwent lower vermilion reconstruction using anteriorly based ventral tongue flaps following cancer ablation. We treated eight males and three females aged 54-67 years (median, 59.8 years). The defect/tongue flap dimensions ranged from 1.8 × 3.5 to 2.0 × 4.5 cm (median, 1.87 × 3.81 cm). RESULTS: No major complication developed in any patient. The postoperative esthetic results, orbicularis oris functions, and speech functions were excellent in six, eight, and nine patients, and satisfactory in five, three, and two, respectively. The patients were followed up for 13-36 months (median, 21.7 months); two local recurrences developed, and these patients underwent salvage surgeries. CONCLUSIONS: An anteriorly based ventral tongue flap is a safe and feasible option for reconstruction of lower vermilion defects.

Aesthetic and Functional Evaluation of Large Full-Thickness Vermilion and Lower Lip Defects Reconstruction.

BACKGROUND: It is hardly to reconstruct a huge defect of lower lip by using of partial flap which brings no mouth closing functional problem. In this study, we would like to introduce our experience in large full-thickness vermilion and lower lip/chin defects reconstruction, and also focus on the evaluation of the surgery effects. METHODS: The large lower lip and chin (include vermilion) reconstruction were performed in Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital (2012-2015). The surgery experience was introduced in this study first. In the following section, after a statement of these basic problems, various situations involving are investigated, such as the surgical effects of aesthetic and function that were evaluated through a visual analogue scale (VAS) by doctors and patients separately. The VAS score assessments of 2 kinds of surgery were collected and compared. RESULTS: A total of 7 patients use the tongue flap alone. Four patients use the combination of the free forearm flap and the anterior ventral tongue flap (COMBO flap). The VAS score of doctors group was significantly lower than the patients group (P < 0.05), and the aesthetic appearance was excellent (>90 points). Language features were not affected (>90 points). Slight mouth opening problems exist on these patients who were used COMBO flaps (>80 points; <90 points). The drooling and drumming gas problems were not observed. These 11 patients had no recurrence within 12 months after the operation. CONCLUSION: The 1:1 ratio between upper and lower lip is crucial to the design of anterior ventral tongue flap which brings with an excellent 3-dimensional morphologic and anatomic structure outcome. The bite block might become an essential operation step for vermilion reconstruction by using of tongue flap. And the COMBO flap may enhance the facial aesthetics and oral function for the reconstruction.

Tongue flap as salvage procedure for recurrent and large palatal fistula after cleft palate repair.

BACKGROUND: Recurrent palatal fistula is a common complication of cleft palate repair. The main causes are poor surgical technique or vascular accidents and infection. Local flaps are not adequate for larger and recurrent fistula. The aim of this study is to analyze the utility of tongue flap in recurrent and large palatal fistula repair. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 2008 to July 2016, 18 patients with recurrent palatal fistula were included in the study. All the patients had undergone repair of cleft palate and fistula previously. Tongue flap repair of the recurrent palatal fistula was performed in all 18 patients. The flaps were divided after 3 weeks and final inset was done. Flap viability, fistula closure, residual tongue function, esthetics, and speech impediment were assessed. RESULTS: In all the patients, fistula could be closed primarily by tongue flap. None of the patients developed flap necrosis while flap dehiscence and bleeding were observed in one patient each. No functional deformity of the tongue and donor-site morbidity was seen. Speech was improved in 80% cases. CONCLUSION: The central position, mobility, excellent vascularity, and versatility of tongue flap make particularly suitable choice for the repair of large fistula in palates scarred by previous surgery. It is very well tolerated by children. We, therefore, recommend tongue flap for large and recurrent palatal fistula in children.

Tratamiento integral de fisura palatina con injerto de lengua: reporte de caso / Sinus floor elevation with a lateral window technique and simultaneous dental implants placement: case report

RESUMEN: La fisura labio palatina (FLP) es una alteración del desarrollo, congénita, de etiología desconocida. La fístula oronasal es la complicación más común de la reparación del paladar con fisura. Los problemas más comunes incluyen hipernasalidad al hablar y el pase de fluidos y comida hacia la cavidad nasal. El caso corresponde a un paciente de 16 años de edad, sexo masculino, con fístula buconasal de 2,1 cm de diámetro mayor en sentido transversal, como secuela de FLP unilateral derecha. Además relata problemas en la alimentación, traspaso de fluidos a la cavidad nasal, problemas de habla por insuficiencia velo faríngea (IVF) valor 9, alteraciones en sus relaciones interpersonales y baja autoestima. Se realizó el injerto de lengua en fístula buconasal, tratamiento de ortodoncia y rehabilitación oral para dar solución estética y funcional. El éxito del tratamiento integral le permitió al paciente mejorar sus relaciones sociales debido a una mayor autoestima.

ABSTRACT: The cleft lip and palate (CLP) is a developmental and congenital anomaly of unknown etiology. The oronasal fistula is the most common complication of the cleft palate reparation. The most common problems are hypernasality on speech and the passage of fluids and food to the nasal cavity. This case is about a sixteen- year-old boy with a 2,1 cm diameter oronasal fistula due to a right unilateral CLP sequel. He also presented alimentation problems, fluid passage to the nasal cavity, speech defects by velopharyngeal insufficiency (VFI), relationships problems and low self-esteem. A tongue graft in the oronasal fistula, orthodontic treatment and oral rehabilitation were made to give an aesthetic and functional solution. The success of the treatment allowed the patient to improve his relationships due to a greater self-esteem.

Comparison of lingual mucosa and buccal mucosa grafts used in inlay urethroplasty in failed hypospadias of pre-pubertal boys in a Chinese group.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the outcomes of the buccal mucosa and lingual mucosa used in children who received multiple failed hypospadias surgeries. METHOD: We conducted a retrospective study of 62 children who received buccal or lingual mucosa graft urethroplasty in our hospital between 2012 and 2015. The ages ranged from 3.5-11 y. All cases included multiple failed hypospadias procedures, and the subjects received previous operations 2-3 times. All patients underwent one-stage operations. Thirty-three cases were treated with lingual mucosa grafts. The patient ages ranged from 3.5 to 11 y (median 7.5 y), and they had previous operations 2-3 times (mean 2.8±0.7). Grafts ranged from lengths of 2-6 cm (mean 5.1±0.46 cm) and widths of 0.5-1.5 cm (mean 1.2± 0.16 cm). Our follow-up was 5 to 12 m (mean 8.3±1.2 m). Twenty-nine cases were treated with buccal mucosa grafts. The patient ages ranged from 4 to 9.2 y (median 7.0 y), and they had previous operations 2-3 times (mean 2.5±0.2). Grafts ranged from lengths of 2-5.3 cm (mean 4.9± 0.28 cm) and widths of 0.5-1.5 cm (mean 1.0±0.11 cm). Our follow-up was 5 to 12 m (mean 7.9±0.5 m). The results were tested with SPSS 18.0. The rates of complications were compared by a chi-square test, and pre-operative conditions were compared by t test. RESULTS: For the outcomes of the two groups, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of age, preoperative surgery time, and the length and width of the grafts (p>0.05). For the lingual mucosa graft group, fistula: 2/33 (6.0%), stricture: 1/33(3.0%), ventral curvature: 2/33(6.0%), complications: 5/33(15.0%), success rate: 28/33(84.8%), Hose score: 14.34±0.95, peak flow: 6.5 ml/s-12.0 ml/s, and mean peak flow: 9.3±0.4 ml/s. For the buccal mucosa graft group, fistula: 2/29(6.8%), stricture: 2/29(6.8%), ventral curvature: 1/29 (3.4%), complication rate: 5/29(17.0%), success rate: 24/29 (83.0%), Hose score: 14.28±1.03, peak flow: 6.5 ml/s-12.0 ml/s, and mean peak flow: 9.2±0.2 ml/s. There were no differences between the two groups for overall success, complication rates, peak flow, and the Hose scores(P>0.05). CONCLUSION: The lingual mucosal graft and the buccal mucosa graft both achieved good outcomes, and the lingual mucosa graft made up for the shortcomings of the buccal mucosa graft, which provided a reliable way to treat the multiple failed hypospadias surgeries in pre-pubertal boys.

Pedicle Tongue Flap for Palatal Fistula Closure.

BACKGROUND: Palatal fistulae are common sequels that appear in patients after surgical procedures in the palate. Considering the difficulty to achieve an effective treatment, there are many techniques to surgically manage fistulae, that is, the pedicle tongue flap. OBJECTIVE: Being so, the main goal of this paper is to report cases of patients with palatal fistulae, from different etiologies, treated with anterior pedicle tongue flap. PATIENTS: Eleven patients, 8 male and 3 female, mean age of 32 years old with palatal fistulae surgically treated with anterior dorsal tongue flaps. No flap was completely lost. There was 1 partial loss and 1 residual buconasal communication. The most common complaints of the patients were difficulty to perform oral hygiene and mild pain. CONCLUSION: The use of anterior pedicle tongue flap for closing palatal fistulae demonstrates to be a safe procedure with high success rates (81% in this paper) when correctly indicated.

Comparison of Clinical Outcome of Facial Artery Myomucosal Flap and Tongue Flap for Closure of Large Anterior Palatal Fistulas.

Closure of large anterior palatal fistula has high recurrence rate. The objective of this study was to compare the clinical outcome of facial artery myomucosal flap (FAMM flap) and tongue flap used for closure of large anterior palatal fistula. This study was conducted from March 2008 to March 2014. Thirty-nine patients, aged 2 to 40 years, who had anterior palatal fistula 5 to 20 mm in width with associated alveolar cleft and repaired with either a tongue flap or FAMM flap were included. Patients were excluded if they had adequate local palatal tissue for closure, mid, posterior or multiple fistulae, fistula width >20 mm. Closure was performed in 2 layers. Turndown flap of oral mucoperiosteum was used to reconstruct nasal layer and oral layer was reconstructed with FAMM flap in 16 and tongue flap in 23 patients. Mean(SD) pain score was 3(1) and 7(1) in FAMM flap and tongue flap groups respectively with a P value <0.096. All patients in tongue flap group experienced difficulty in speaking and eating whereas in FAMM flap group 2 had eating problem and 2 experienced speech difficulty. Mean(SD) total operative times for FAMM flap and tongue flap were 155(38) and 242(10) minutes, respectively, P value <0.002. There was no difference for other complications and no recurrence at 1 year follow-up in both groups. The authors concluded that FAMM flap should be considered first choice for closure of large anterior palatal fistulas associated with alveolar cleft as it requires less total operative time and has less early postoperative complications.

Cierre de fístula palatina con colgajo anterior de lengua: reporte de un caso / Palatal fistula closure with anterior tongue flap: report of a case

El cierre de grandes fistulas palatinas en pacientes con fisura labio-alveolo-palatina, donde se realizaron varios intentos previos para su resolución, sin obtener éxito en el tratamiento, y en los cuales no se tuvieron en cuenta y respetaron los tiempos quirúrgicos correspondientes a los tiempos biológicos, conlleva a la implementación de técnicas alternativas para la conformación final del paladar hendido. Destacamos en este trabajo la utilización de un colgajo anterior de lengua, su técnica, y su resultado, al igual que la importancia de brindar una atención en concordancia con la edad ideal para la corrección quirúrgica de esta malformación...

The Deepithelialized Dorsal Tongue Flap for Reconstruction of Anterior Palatal Fistulae: Literature Review and Presentation of Our Experience in Egypt.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to present our experience with the closure of challenging palatal fistulae using the deepithelialized dorsal anterior tongue flap. We highlight the efficacy of suturing the tip of the tongue flap to the nasal septum for prevention of flap detachment. DESIGN: Prospective analysis of cleft patients with anterior palatal fistulae repaired by deepithelialized dorsal anterior tongue flap. SETTING: Institutional center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: A total of 30 patients with anterior palatal fistulae in the setting of previous cleft palate or fistula repair. INTERVENTIONS: Deepithelialized dorsal anterior tongue flap for treatment of anterior palatal fistulae. OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients had repair using deepithelialized dorsal anterior tongue flap between 2011 and 2014. Patients' photographs and clinical records were collected. The technique of flap harvesting and method of securing it in its position are described in this study. RESULTS: Patients were followed up over a mean period of 13.8 months to check flap viability, competent repair, and donor site function and aesthetics. All patients showed uneventful healing without complications. CONCLUSIONS: This technique offered a secure method of palatal fistulae reconstruction. Further research is needed to show this technique's advantages and drawbacks.

Pharyngeal Tube Flap and Palatoglossal Rotation Flap in Subtotal Soft Palate Reconstruction.

Reconstruction of the soft plate after oncologic resection is complex owing to the palate's complex role in speech and swallow. This challenge becomes more complex as defects increase in size. Current management of soft plate reconstruction includes obturation as well as local or microvascular flaps. These methods, though, are limited by poor function and complexity. In regard to large subtotal central soft palate defects, we expand on previous descriptions of a tubed posterior pharyngeal constrictor flap to include a palatoglossal rotational flap that is facile and hardy and has a decreased recovery time. Furthermore, we present 2 representative cases, including 1 with previous radiation, in which our technique was utilized with successful closure of the defect and without subsequent breakdown.

A new mucosal propeller flap (deep lingual artery axial propeller): the renaissance of lingual flaps.

BACKGROUND: Lingual flaps provide ideal mucosal coverage for intraoral defects but traditionally require two surgical stages. The authors present an axial mucosal propeller flap for single-stage intraoral reconstruction. The flap includes the mucosa of the lateral side of the tongue, islanded on the deep lingual vessels. METHODS: Between 2011 and 2013, 23 patients underwent intraoral mucosal reconstruction with a deep lingual artery axial propeller flap after cancer resection in the cheek (n = 16), floor of the mouth (n = 2), retromolar trigone (n = 2), hard palate (n = 2), and soft palate (n = 1). Mean defect size was 19.5 cm. Preoperative and postoperative intraoral function was evaluated with the Functional Intraoral Glasgow Scale. RESULTS: The authors always achieved one-stage reconstruction with primary donor-site closure. The only complications were an infection treated conservatively and a late oronasal fistula caused by radiotherapy. All patients resumed an oral diet after 1 week and none required surgical revision. Mean 12-month postoperative Functional Intraoral Glasgow Scale score was better than the preoperative score (13.5 versus 12.8). CONCLUSIONS: The deep lingual artery axial propeller flap combines the advantages of the traditional lingual flap (i.e., reliable axial vascularization and like-with-like reconstruction) with those of a propeller flap (i.e., one-stage transfer of like tissue and extreme mobility) and has wider indications than a conventional lingual flap. The technique is fast and has low morbidity and good functional results, and the authors recommend it as a first-choice technique to reconstruct moderate to large intraoral defects. CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.

Tongue flaps.

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.

Repair of large palatal fistula using tongue flap.

Large palatal fistulas are a challenging problem in cleft surgery. Many techniques are used to close the defect. The tongue flap is an easy and reproductible procedure for managing this complication. The authors report a case of a large palatal fistula closure with anteriorly based tongue flap.

Closure of large palatal defect using a tongue flap.

The aim of this study is to report the effectiveness of a tongue flap for covering a large hard and soft tissue defect following cleft of the palate. A young patient diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia underwent a surgical reconstruction of the cleft palate by Le Fort I osteotomy and palatal closure utilizing a tongue flap. The flap provided sound and lasting closure after the surgery, and the patient successfully healed. Our goal is to present this unique case and highlight how postoperative results were good, safe, and predictable. We also hope to show that tongue transplantation as flap for hard and soft tissue reconstruction represents a valuable option in reconstruction, given the proper circumstances.

Tongue flap as a reconstructive option in intraoral defects.

The reconstruction of intraoral defects can be challenging due to the different characteristics of the region, importance of preserving the anatomy and function, and shortage of available donor areas. The location and size of the defect guides the reconstructive surgeon through the treatment plan. Among the options available, tongue flaps have been found useful in intraoral defect reconstruction.In this study, we presented the use of tongue flaps in different kinds of intraoral defects, and compared the advantages and disadvantages with other methods. Between 2004 and 2011, tongue flaps were used in intraoral reconstruction of 11 patients (6 male and 5 female) with a mean age of 30.1. Six patients had palatal fistula, 3 had alveolar region and mouth floor defects, and 2 had lower lip defects. All of the tongue flaps planned were anterior based, 6 dorsal and 5 ventral. Second operations were carried out on the 15th or 20th postoperative days.Despite the disadvantages of being an interpolation flap which requires a second session and good patient cooperation, tongue flap is a choice for reconstruction of intraoral defects with its highly vascular structure, good mobility, localization, texture match, and low donor area morbidity.

Lingual versus buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty for anterior urethral stricture: a prospective comparative analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To compare lingual and buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty for anterior urethral stricture with respect to intraoperative, postoperative parameters and urethroplasty outcome. METHODS: From January 2011 to December 2011, a total of 30 patients with anterior urethral stricture whereas group 2 underwent dorsal onlay buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty. Patients were evaluated for postoperative, tongue protrusion, oral opening, and difficulty in speech and swallowing pain score. Surgical outcome was evaluated with pre- and postoperative work-up involving retrograde urethrogram, uroflow and urethroscopy. RESULTS: Mean age, stricture length and overall pain score were comparable in two groups. All the patients were mostly pain free by postoperative day 7. Group 1 patients had significant difficulty in speech and delayed return to normal diet as compared with group 2. The group 2 patients had a significant reduction in oral opening for the first week after surgery. In group 1, approximately 20% patients (with bilateral lingual grafts and stricture length >7 cm) complained of a change in speech character with restricted tongue movement in the long term, whereas there was no significant long-term morbidity in group 2. At mean follow up of 14.5 months, urethroplasty outcome was comparable in the two groups with one failure in group 1, and two failures in group 2. CONCLUSION: Lingual mucosa graft urethroplasty provides outcomes equivalent to those of buccal mucosa graft urethroplasty. Postoperative morbidity and long-term change in speech make it a second choice for strictures >7 cm, only for cases where buccal mucosa graft is unavailable.