Ablation of advanced tongue cancer and mobile tongue reconstruction by using a sensitive anterolateral thigh and vastus lateralis muscle free flap.

BACKGROUND: Successful tongue reconstruction after total glossectomy for advanced tongue or base of tongue cancer should restore swallowing, speech function, and cosmesis. METHODS: The anterior lateral thigh flap sensitive myocutaneous (ALTF) with vastus lateralis muscle was used to reconstruct the oral defect in a patient undergoing total glossectomy with laryngeal preservation for T4 tongue cancer. RESULTS: Good functional outcomes, measured by independent feeding, speech and swallowing, were achieved. CONCLUSIONS: The anterolateral thigh myocutaneous flap for total tongue reconstruction creates a free neotongue tip with an adequate volume, producing acceptable swallowing function and cosmesis. The reconstruction with free flaps is a feasible method of restoring the functional outcomes in speech and deglutition among patients who undergo total glossectomy with laryngeal preservation.