Reconstruction of the tongue using an extended vertical lower trapezius island myocutaneous flap after removal of advanced tongue cancer

In this study we explored an effective method to repair defects in the tongue that had been produced during removal of advanced tongue cancer. Eighteen patients with advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue were treated, and extended vertical lower trapezius island myocutaneous flaps based on the transverse cervical artery were used to repair more than half the tongue. No flap failed completely and no shoulder was affected. The lingual contours were excellent. The functional results in terms of speech and swallowing were satisfactory. The patients were followed up for 6 to 24 months. Three of them were alive with disease and two have died of the local recurrence or metastasis at 18 and 20 months, respectively. The extended vertical lower trapezius island myocutaneous flap is a large, simple, and reliable flap, which is preferred for reconstruction of defects of the tongue after removal of advanced tongue cancer.