[Plastic reconstructive surgery of soft palate defects--functional and oncological aspects]

Area of Science:

• Otorhinolaryngology
• Head and Neck Surgery
• Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Background:

• Soft palate resection in tumor surgery often causes significant swallowing disorders.
• Effective rehabilitation requires functional reconstruction of resulting defects.
• Oropharyngeal carcinoma necessitates complex surgical interventions impacting speech and swallowing.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the functional and oncologic outcomes of soft palate reconstruction using various flap techniques.
• To assess the impact of soft palate reconstruction on swallowing function, speech, and patient quality of life.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of nine patients with partial and six with total soft palate defects.
• Reconstruction utilized neurovascularized infrahyoidal muscle flaps for partial defects and fasciocutaneous flaps for total defects.
• Functional assessment included patient interviews, cinematography, and pharyngeal pressure measurements.

Main Results:

• All patients achieved proper swallowing without aspiration or regurgitation post-reconstruction.
• Palate reconstruction resulted in 60% of normal pressure behind the palate, with a pressure slope towards the hypopharynx.
• Decannulation and feeding tube removal occurred at an average of 34 and 29 days postoperatively, respectively.
• An 87% tumor-free rate was observed after a mean follow-up of 24 months.

Conclusions:

• Tissue reconstruction of the soft palate provides good functional and oncologic results.
• The described flap techniques effectively restore swallowing function and improve patient outcomes.
• Soft palate reconstruction is a viable option for managing defects following oropharyngeal tumor resection.