Resection of advanced tongue cancer and reconstruction using free rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap through extraoral approach

To report the method of resection of advanced tongue cancer and reconstruction using free rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap through extraoral approach and analyze its clinic effect. Selected six patients with advanced tongue carcinoma underwent reconstruction of total tongue and mouth floor after resection of cancer and neck dissection between 2006 and 2009. All of the operations were performed with preservation of intact mandible by way of submandible and submentum. The outcomes were evaluated. Flap survival rate was 100%. The shapes of all reconstructive tongue and mouth floor were satisfactory. The functional results in terms of speech, good swallowing and mastication were attained in 5 cases. The patients were followed up for 12 to 30 months. There was no local recurrence and metastasis. The free rectus abdominal musculocutaneous flap is a large, simple, reliable flap, which is preferred for reconstruction of defects of tongue and mouth floor after removal of advanced tongue cancer.