[Reconstruction of the tongue with rectus abdominis musculoperitoneal flap]

To investigate the outcome of surgical reconstruction of the tongue after hemiglossectomy with reinnervated rectus abdominis musculoperitoneal flaps in the treatment of tongue cancer.

Five patients underwent immediate reconstruction of the tongue and oral floor defects with rectus abdominis musculoperitoneal flaps after resection of squamous cell carcinoma of tongue. The rectus abdominis musculoperitoneal flap consists of the rectus muscle, posterior rectus sheath, peritoneum, the 10 th, 11th, 12th intercostal nerves and the vascular pedicle that includes the deep inferior epigastric artery and veins. During the operation a reinnervated rectus abdominis musculoperitoneal free flap, in which the intercostal nerves were anastomosed to the descending branch of hypoglossal nerve, was grafted to remaining tongue stump.

All patients recovered uneventfully from surgery, with no immediate postoperative complications. All transplanted flaps survived. The peritoneum was replaced by squamous epithelium 8 weeks after surgery. The average follow-up period was 10 months. During the follow-up period the contour of the reconstructed tongues was satisfactory. The patients demonstrated good functional mobility of the reconstructed and remaining tongue. The swallowing and speech function was nearly at normal levels and the patients could ingest a solid or semisolid diet.

Reconstruction of the tongue with rectus abdominis musculoperitoneal flaps after hemiglossectomy is a suitable, cosmetically acceptable method. Long-term follow-up is needed for reaching some final conclusions.