Volume changes in hemiglossectomy reconstruction
Reviewed by Stuart Clark

This paper analyses the volume changes in 10 patients, five of whom had hemiglossectomy reconstruction with a radial forearm free flap, whilst the other five patients had reconstruction with an anterolateral thigh flap. Both groups underwent postoperative radiotherapy. The volume of the reconstructed tongue is considered a significant factor in tongue function and shrinkage following reconstruction can be expected. This paper suggests that the difference in volume loss between the two flaps should be taken into consideration. The measurements of comparison were at one month after surgery. They showed that ALT flaps shrank by approximately 40% and the forearm flaps shrank by approximately 50%. On that basis, they recommend that the ALT flap is made 1.4 times larger than the defect whilst the forearm is made 1.5 times and therefore slightly larger. Whilst it would be difficult to be so precise in terms of the size volume of a reconstruction, the overall point is made. Of course, there is recognition of the limited number of patients in this analysis and how much shrinkage may occur after one month.

Volumetric changes in post hemiglossectomy reconstruction with anterolateral thigh free flap versus radial forearm free flap.
Younis PA, Davis S, Sweedan AO, et al.
INT J ORAL MAXILLOFAC SURG
2024;53(6):470–4.