Functional outcome after partial glossectomy with reconstruction using radial forearm free flap.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the radial forearm free flap (RFFF) volume changes and speech and swallowing outcomes.

Methods: The study included 18 subjects with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral tongue.

Results: Average percentage changes in flap volume between 3 and 12 months was 19.2%. Postoperative free flap volume changes were significantly and negatively correlated with the word and sentence intelligibility (Y=-0.338X+43.641, r(2)=0.383, p=0.006 and Y=-0.246X+34.322, r(2)=0.321, p=0.014, respectively). A significant positive correlation was also found between word and sentence intelligibility and floor of mouth resected, postoperative irradiation. Postoperative flap volume changes between 3 and 12 months were correlated with reduced posterior bolus movement by tongue (p=0.002), reduced tongue base to posterior pharyngeal wall contact (p=0.002), reduced laryngeal elevation (p=0.005), increased aspiration (p=0.005), delayed oral (p=0.010) and pharyngeal transit time (p=0.011). Floor of mouth resected, tongue base resected, and postoperative irradiation also influenced the swallowing outcomes.

Conclusions: This study shows that postoperative flap volume changes are significantly related to speech and swallowing outcomes in patients undergoing partial glossectomy reconstructed with RFFF.