Versatility of Tongue Flaps for Closure of Palatal Defects- Case Report

Reconstruction of persistent oronasal communication using an anteriorly based tongue flap following failed cleft palate repair-Report of two cases

The tongue flap is a suitable alternative to local mucoperiosteal flaps in closure of wide, persistent oronasal communications, surrounded by scarred and fibrotic tissue as a result of previously attempted palatoplasty. Herein, we report two cases with large recurrent oronasal communication closed using the anteriorly based dorsal tongue flap.

Palatal reconstruction with tunnellized Bichat fat pad flap after tumour resection

BACKGROUND

Reconstruction of palate defects following tumour ablative surgery can be a challenging problem. Different methods have been suggested over the time for the reconstruction of postoperative palatal defects. Since the first report of the Bichat fat pad flap in1977, it has become one of the most commonly used flaps for the reconstruction of palate after tumour excision. We report our results using the tunnellized Bichat fat pad (BFP) flap for 23 cases of palate reconstruction after minor salivary glands tumour excision.

METHODS

The Authors performed a tunnellized bichat fat pad flap for primary reconstruction of small- medium-sized surgical defects of the palate in 23 patients suffering from minor salivary glands palatal tumors in the period between 2016 and 2019. Each case was reviewed for primary pathologic findings, wound healing, postoperative complications.

RESULTS

All 23 tunnellized BFP procedures showed excellent recovery and uneventful follow-up. With this technique after 12 months follow-up complete wound healing after only 4 weeks without complication was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

The tunnellized BFP flap is useful, easy, and uncomplicated new alternative method for primary reconstruction of small to medium-sized palatal surgical defects, that can be performed with a very low morbidity. Submucosal tunnel for the pedicle passage introduced by the Authors adds some advantages in final outcomes with less discomfort for the patients, proving to be a technique able to adds itself to surgical reconstructive technique available today.