Tip of the Tongue Reconstruction with Prelaminated Fasciomucosal Radial Forearm Free Flap

Summary:

Tongue cancer is the most common malignant neoplasm of the oral cavity. Occurrence in the tip of the tongue (TOT) is rare. We describe a case report of a TOT tumor excision and reconstruction with a prelaminated fasciomucosal radial forearm free flap. A 41-year-old white man was referred to our department for a squamous cell carcinoma of the tip of the tongue. The patient worked as an air traffic control official; therefore, conservation of speech intelligibility, both in Italian and English language, was of paramount importance. A transoral excision of TOT, bilateral selective neck dissection, and reconstruction with prelaminated fasciomucosal radial forearm free flap were performed. Adjuvant radiotherapy was necessary. The patient was completely re-established as an air traffic control officer. Successful tongue reconstruction of smaller defects depends on thinness, pliability of flap, and conservation of tongue mobility. Surgical options for TOT reconstruction are facial artery muscolomucosa flap, Zhao flap, radial forearm free flap, or primary suture. In the authors’ opinion, a fasciomucosal prelaminated RFFF offers a series of advantages for TOT reconstruction. The absence of subcutaneous tissue makes the PFRFFF much thinner than fascio-cutaneous flaps. Compared with mucosal loco-regional flaps, prelaminated flaps allow the preservation of oral mucosa lining while providing adequate bulk and reduced scar formation for optimal func- tional recovery. In our case report, the fasciomucosal flap allowed an adequate reconstruction of TOT volume with good functional and aesthetic outcomes. The flap’s added bulk and its minimal scar retraction granted free tongue movement and optimal speech intelligibility.