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Published on: March 1, 2015
Design and application of Tai Chi modification of the contralateral submental flap
Lin Wang1, Dongpo Li2, Fengzhi Liu1
1Department of Stomatology, the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao 266000 Shandong, China.
Background:
Tai Chi flap began as a novel design for a radial forearm flap. There have been no reports of submental island Tai Chi flap. This study aims to investigate the feasibility of the Tai Chi modification of the submental flap in the repair of tongue cancer-related defects.
Methods:
This project was designed as a retrospective cohort study. Clinical data of patients who underwent contralateral Tai Chi modification of the submental flap repair after tongue cancer resection at our institution from April 2024 to April 2025 were retrospectively analyzed.
Results:
The cohort consisted of 4 patients (3 males and 1 female). No significant postoperative flap necrosis was seen, with only 1 case of tip bruising. In terms of tension in the donor area, the patients self-reported no significant tension in the neck, and no incision cracking was seen after suture removal on the 7th postoperative day. The patient's tongue function recovered well after surgery.
Conclusions:
The submental island Tai Chi modification of the submental flap reconstructs tongue cancer defects with good postoperative functional recovery. And with low neck tension, the neck suture can be removed earlier.
