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Updated: Jun 28, 2026
Coronoid-Temporalis Pedicled Flap for Orbital Floor Defect Reconstruction
Published on: December 5, 2025
[Functional hemitongue reconstruction with free forearm flap]
Gui-Qing Liao1, Yu-Xiong Su, Hai-Chao Liu
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Guanghua School of Stomatology, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou 510015, China. drliaoguiqing@hotmail.com
Objective:
To investigate the clinical application of free forearm flap in the functional hemitongue reconstruction.
Methods:
From July 2002 to November 2006, 40 patients with tongue cancer underwent hemiglossectomy and primary hemitongue reconstruction with free forearm flaps. In some cases, the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerves of the flaps were anastomosed with the lingual nerve to restore the flap sensation.
Results:
All patients recovered uneventfully after surgery with no morbidity in the donor site. All free flaps survived. The average follow-up period was 2 years and 6 months. The aesthetic and functional results were both satisfactory. The swallowing and speech function were almost normal. The flap sensation was partially restored.
Conclusions:
Good functional hemitongue reconstruction can be achieved with free forearm flaps.