Tongue Reconstruction After Hemiglossectomy Due to Cancer by Submental Flap: A Case Series

Abstract

We report three clinical cases using a submental flap to reconstruct the half-tongue defects after tongue cancer surgery at Hue Central Hospital (Hue city, Vietnam). The size of the flap ranged 30-60mm. The time to take flap ranged 50-60 minutes. All three patients did not have liquid accumulation, wound infection and bleeding after surgery; the flap survived well. All patients were taken the nasogastric tube out after ten days and discharged after two weeks. Postoperative functional (speech, swallowing) and tongue aesthetic assessments (symmetry) were good. These cases highlight that the submental flap is a choice for patients with flaws in the tongue. It ensures both functional and aesthetic for the regenerative tongue and donor site.

Keywords: hemiglossectomy; submental flap; tongue reconstruction.