Total glossectomy ; Reconstruction ; Pectoralis major myocutaneous flap
Abstract
Advanced carcinoma of the tongue is a devastating disease with a poor prognosis and posed a therapeutic dilemma for the patients and physicians. Moreover due to the tongue's strategic location, serious difficulties in swallowing and speech following total glossectomy can lead to sever functional disabilities that prolonged rehabilitation will often cancel any survival benefits. So we reviewed five cases of total glossectomy to determine the functional results of rehabilitation. Four cases were reconstructed with pectoralis major myocutaneous flap and the other one was reconstructed with composite fibular free flap. All the flaps survived with one postoperative fistula from minor separation. All but one larynx were preserved and no one need to have a laryngectomy postoperatively. All the flaps were substituted the floor of mouth, but its function left a lot to be desired. More bulky flap and additionai functional rehabilitation to reconstruct the defect after total glossectomy.