What is tongue flap?

What is tongue flap?

The tongue flap is a robust, versatile flap that can be used for reconstruction of oral, pharyngeal, and perioral defects of congenital, traumatic, and ablative origin. The rich blood supply and ease of use make the tongue flap a reliable and predictable reconstructive technique for indicated defects.

What is pincushioning flap?

One or more revisions may be required, and the patient should be told this prior to the surgery. “Pincushioning,” wherein the flap contracts at the wound base and results in a firm, round, raised appearance is more common if the reconstructed defect is round.

Can you reconstruct a tongue?

Reconstructive surgeons can repair soft tissue in parts of the tongue, the lining of the mouth, and the lips using a portion of skin called a graft.

Can you talk after tongue surgery?

When part of the tongue is removed, it can be hard to speak and be understood by others. The Speech-Language Pathologist will assess your ability to speak clearly. Sometimes people need only a few speech therapy sessions, while others may need to learn other methods to communicate such as computers or gestures.

What is an advancement flap?

Advancement flaps are conceptually the simplest local flaps and fall within the group of sliding flaps, along with rotation flaps. [1][2][3] For these sliding flaps, the tissue is moved or “slid” directly into the adjacent defect without “jumping” over the interposed tissue.

What is a rotation flap surgery?

A rotation flap is a semicircular flap of skin and subcutaneous tissue that rotates about a pivot point into a defect. The donor site is typically repaired with wide undermining and direct, layered closure. The vector of greatest tension is directed from the pivot point outward to the defect’s furthest radial point.

What is a flap in plastic surgery?

Flap surgery involves the transfer of a living piece of tissue from one part of the body to another, along with the blood vessels that keep it alive. It may be used for a variety of reasons, including breast reconstruction, open fractures, large wounds, and, in rare cases, for improving a cleft lip and palate.

When is tongue reconstruction needed?

Larger defects such as from a subtotal glossectomy, total glossectomy, or those involving the floor of the mouth require reconstruction that includes vascularized tissue replacement to adequately restore bulk and prevent tethering scars and ankyloglossia.

How long does it take to recover from tongue reconstruction?

For patients with resection and free flap reconstruction, the oral tongue or the base of the tongue, significant decline in speech and swallowing function develop in the early postoperative phase, but the patient recovers after 1 year.

Can you swallow after tongue surgery?

Due to the pain and difficulty swallowing, you will likely only be able to tolerate a liquid/soft diet (Ensure, Smoothies…) for the first few days after surgery. Make sure you have a good intake of fluids and avoid dehydration.

How long does it take for tongue to heal after surgery?

Pain will be present for at least 7-14 days following surgery, but it should improve around two weeks following surgery. If you are running out of medication, and you still have significant pain, please contact us before it finishes.

Is the glabella a suture?

The glabella is the smooth midline bony prominence between the supraciliary arches of the frontal bone, representing the most anterior part of the forehead when standing erect and looking straight ahead. The metopic suture traverses the glabella, between the two frontal bones.

What is the function of glabella?

Typically, frown lines are the vertical lines between your eyes, while glabellar lines appear above your eyebrows and run horizontally. Frown lines don’t just come from making sad faces. When you smile, laugh, or look worried or surprised, the glabella muscles tug and pull the skin that covers them.

How long do skin flaps take to heal?

Keeping the site moist with the above procedures will hasten healing and provide you with the nicest scar possible. Do not wear make up over the incisions or flap until the sutures are removed (or have dissolved), and a thin layer of new skin covers the area. This usually takes 7 to 10 days.