Shanghai Journal of Stomatology ›› 2015, Vol. 24 ›› Issue (5): 465-469.

• Review • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Progress of tongue flap in reconstruction of oral soft tissue defects

LU Jun-qin, SUN Jian   

  1. Department of Oromaxillofacial Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology. Shanghai 200011, China
  • Received:2014-12-01 Revised:2015-02-11 Online:2015-10-20 Published:2015-11-03
  • Contact: E-mail:461133087@qq.com

Abstract: Although nowadays free flaps are popular to be used in restoration of intraoral defects, the tongue flap, when indicated, is still a safe, reliable reconstructive option with low morbidity. The dorsal or lateral tongue flap is particularly useful for moderate defects in the palate, retro-molar area, back buccal mucosa, lower vermilion and defects after partial glossectomy. This paper reviewed the anatomical basis of tongue flap and clinical application in reconstruction of intraoral defects.

Key words: Tongue flap, Oral and maxillofacial surgery, Functional reconstruction