Reconstruction of a Total Soft Palatal Defect Using a Folded Radial Forearm Free Flap and Palmaris Longus Tendon Sling

Background The soft palate functions as a valve and helps generate the oral pressure required for normal speech resonance. Speech problems and nasal regurgitation can result from a soft palatal defect. Reduction of the size of the velopharyngeal orifice is required to compensate for the lack of mobility in a reconstructed soft palate. We suggest a large volume folded free flap for reduction of the caliber and a palmaris longus tendon sling for suspension of the reconstructed palate. Methods Six patients had total soft palate resection for tonsillar cancer and reconstruction with a large volume folded radial forearm free flap combined with a palmaris longus sling. A single surgeon and speech therapist examined the patients with three standardized speech assessment tools: nasometer test, consonant articulation test, and speech acuity test performed for speech evaluation. Results Mean nasalance score was 76.20% for sentences with nasal sounds and 43.60% for sentences with oral sounds. Hypernasality was seen for oral sound sentences. The mean score of the picture consonant articulation test was 84% (range, 63% to 100%). The mean score of the speech acuity test was 5.84 (range, 5 to 6). These mean ratings represent a satisfactory level of speech function. Conclusions The large volume folded free flap with a palmaris longus tendon sling for total soft palate reconstruction resulted in satisfactory prognosis for speech despite moderate hypernasality.

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• Location: Deutsche Nationalbibliothek Frankfurt am Main
• Extent: Online-Ressource
• Language: Englisch

References and Relationships

• Bibliographic citation: Reconstruction of a Total Soft Palatal Defect Using a Folded Radial Forearm Free Flap and Palmaris Longus Tendon Sling ; volume:39 ; number:01 ; year:2012 ; pages:25-30 ; Archives of Plastic Surgery ; 39, Heft 01 (2012), 25-30

Contributors, Places and Time

• Contributor: Lee, Myung Chul ; Lee, Dong Won ; Rah, Dong Kyun ; Lee, Won Jai

Further information

• DOI: 10.5999/aps.2012.39.1.25
• URN: urn:nbn:de:101:1-2022061610134953319872
• Rights: Open Access; Der Zugriff auf das Objekt ist unbeschränkt möglich.