Longus Capitis Reconstruction of the Soft Palate. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2019 Sep;161(3):536-538
Date
05/16/2019Pubmed ID
31084255DOI
10.1177/0194599819849031Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85067844839 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 1 CitationAbstract
Soft palate (SP) reconstruction remains a challenge for the head and neck reconstructive surgeon. One favorable local flap option is the longus capitis muscle (LCM), a deep neck flexor with redundant muscle function, appropriate bulk, and a relatively straightforward surgical harvest. A retrospective review of 3 patients with T2 to T4 tonsil squamous cell carcinoma requiring SP resection and LCM reconstruction at a single institution was performed. Three patients underwent primary transoral resection, all resulting in at least 50% full-thickness SP defects. Reconstruction comprised a superiorly based LCM local flap. Patients underwent adjuvant (chemo)radiation therapy as indicated. Within 3 to 8 months, each patient was tolerating a full oral diet with no dysphagia, nasal regurgitation, or velopharyngeal insufficiency. For select patients with SP defects, a superiorly based LCM flap may provide a functionally acceptable reconstruction with minimal donor site morbidity.
Author List
Gross JH, Zenga J, Sharon JD, Jackson RS, Pipkorn PAuthor
Joseph Zenga MD Assistant Professor in the Otolaryngology department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AgedCarcinoma, Squamous Cell
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Neck Muscles
Palate, Soft
Retrospective Studies
Surgical Flaps
Tonsillar Neoplasms