Functional hemitongue reconstruction using innervated supraclavicular fasciocutaneous island flaps with the cervical plexus and reinnervated supraclavicular fasciocutaneous island flaps with neurorrhaphy of the cervical plexus and lingual nerve.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to evaluate tongue function in patients with tongue cancer after reconstruction with innervated supraclavicular fasciocutaneous island flaps (iSFIFs) with the cervical plexus (iSFIFs-SPN) or reinnervated SFIFs with neurorrhaphy of the cervical plexus and lingual nerve (rSFIFs-SPN-LN). METHODS Forty-two tongue defects were reconstructed using iSFIFs-SPN and rSFIFs-SPN-LN. Two-point discrimination tests revealed a significant difference on the dorsal and ventral hemitongue reconstructed using rSFIFs-SPN-LN from control values. RESULTS No statistical difference in swallowing, speech, or esthetic outcome was found in the iSFIFs-SPN or the rSFIFs-SPN-LN. A significant difference was noted in the dorsal aspect and ventral surface of hemitongues reconstructed with rSFIFs-SPN-LN from control values and between 6 and 12 months. CONCLUSION Sensation after hemitongue reconstruction with the iSFIF-SPN and the neurorrhaphy of the cervical plexus nerve was sutured to the lingual nerve, sensation after hemitongue reconstruction with the rSFIF-SPN-LN approached normal 6 to12 months postoperatively.