Re-innervation pattern of heterotopically transposed lingual flaps

Pedicled tongue flaps have proved to be an effective method of repairing defects due to tissue loss in the oral cavity. No histological investigations have been done in respect of the longterm fate of these flaps after section of their nutrient pedicle. The histological pattern of the re-innervation process of heterotopically transposed lingual flaps in the oral cavity is evaluated in this paper. Two cases are reported: in the first, the tongue flap was used to repair the vermilion of the lower lip and in the second, for the closure of a post-traumatic defect of the hard palate. The histological findings are similar in the two cases: myelinated and unmyelinated fibres, free nerve endings and encapsulated receptors are present.