• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.45-50
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• 2016

Extensive surgical resection of the aerodigestive track can result in a large and complex defect of the oropharynx, which represents a significant reconstructive challenge for the plastic surgery. Development of microsurgical techniques has allowed for free flap reconstruction of oropharyngeal defects, with superior outcomes as well as decreases in postoperative complications. The reconstructive goals for oral and oropharyngeal defects are to restore the anatomy, to maintain continuity of the intraoral surface and oropharynx, to protect vital structures such as carotid arteries, to cover exposed portions of internal organs in preparation for adjuvant radiation, and to preserve complex functions of the oral cavity and oropharynx. Oral and oropharyngeal cancers should be treated with consideration of functional recovery. Multidisciplinary treatment strategies are necessary for maximizing disease control and preserving the natural form and function of the oropharynx.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.31-35
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• 2022

The soft palate of carcinoma limited to the uvular region is infrequent among oropharyngeal cancers. The oropharynx regulates swallowing and speech through dynamic motions. Failure to reconstruct after surgical resection of the oropharynx structure can lead to permanent velopharyngeal insufficiency. Therefore, suitable reconstruction is important in establishing proper functional outcomes while maintaining oncological safety. We present a case of a 66-year-old male who was diagnosed with oropharynx cancer limited in the uvula accompanied by lymph node metastasis. After surgical resection, reconstruction was performed with the united arrangement of bilateral palatal mucomuscular flap and superiorly based posterior pharyngeal flap. There was no aspiration or reflux after feeding and epithelialization completely occurred after 1 month postoperatively. We report a successful case that the reconstruction with the local flap described above could preserve proper oropharyngeal function after primary surgery in small-sized oropharyngeal cancer.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.353-358
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• 2013

Background Robots have allowed head and neck surgeons to extirpate oropharyngeal tumors safely without the need for lip-split incision or mandibulotomy. Using robots in oropharyngeal reconstruction is new but essential for oropharyngeal defects that result from robotic tumor excision. We report our experience with robotic free-flap reconstruction of head and neck defects to exemplify the necessity for robotic reconstruction. Methods We investigated head and neck cancer patients who underwent ablation surgery and free-flap reconstruction by robot. Between July 1, 2011 and March 31, 2012, 5 cases were performed and patient demographics, location of tumor, pathologic stage, reconstruction methods, flap size, recipient vessel, necessary pedicle length, and operation time were investigated. Results Among five free-flap reconstructions, four were radial forearm free flaps and one was an anterolateral thigh free-flap. Four flaps used the superior thyroid artery and one flap used a facial artery as the recipient vessel. The average pedicle length was 8.8 cm. Flap insetting and microanastomosis were achieved using a specially manufactured robotic instrument. The total operation time was 1,041.0 minutes (range, 814 to 1,132 minutes), and complications including flap necrosis, hematoma, and wound dehiscence did not occur. Conclusions This study demonstrates the clinically applicable use of robots in oropharyngeal reconstruction, especially using a free flap. A robot can assist the operator in insetting the flap at a deep portion of the oropharynx without the need to perform a traditional mandibulotomy. Robot-assisted reconstruction may substitute for existing surgical methods and is accepted as the most up-to-date method.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.453-460
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• 2015

Background Reconstruction of oropharyngeal defects after resection of oropharyngeal cancer is a significant challenge. The purpose of this study is to introduce reconstruction using a combination of a buccinator myomucosal flap and a buccal fat pad flap after cancer excision and to discuss the associated anatomy, surgical procedure, and clinical applications. Methods In our study, a combination of a buccinator myomucosal flap with a buccal fat pad flap was utilized for reconstruction after resection of oropharyngeal cancer, performed between 2013 and 2015. After oropharyngectomy, the defect with exposed vital structures was noted. A buccinator myomucosal flap was designed and elevated after an assessment of the flap pedicle. Without requiring an additional procedure, a buccal fat pad flap was easily harvested in the same field and gently pulled to obtain sufficient volume. The flaps were rotated and covered the defect. In addition, using cadaver dissections, we investigated the feasibility of transposing the flaps into the lateral oropharyngeal defect. Results The reconstruction was performed in patients with squamous cell carcinoma. The largest tumor size was $5cm{\times}2cm(length{\times}width)$. All donor sites were closed primarily. The flaps were completely epithelialized after four weeks, and the patients were followed up for at least six months. There were no flap failures or postoperative wound complications. All patients were without dietary restrictions, and no patient had problems related to mouth opening, swallowing, or speech. Conclusions A buccinator myomucosal flap with a buccal fat pad flap is a reliable and valuable option in the reconstruction of oropharyngeal defects after cancer resection for maintaining functionality.

• 대한두경부종양학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2007.05a
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• pp.80-84
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• 2007

Background and Objectives : The radial forearm free flap is a useful reconstructive method of surgical defects after oral and oropharyngeal tumor resection. We evaluated the swallowing and speech outcomes of radial forearm free flap reconstruction for oral and oropharyngeal cancers. Materials and Methods : We retrospectively reviewed clinical data of 84 patients who underwent reconstructive surgery for oral or oropharyngeal cancer using radial forearm free flap from August 1994 to January 2007. Modified barium swallowing (MBS) was done in 100 patients and speech-language assessment was done in 23 patients by a speech-language pathologist. Results were analyzed according to the swallowing functions and the speech-language assessments. Results : According to the results of MBS which was done postoperatively, aspiration occurred in three patients and velopharyngeal insufficiency occurred in four patients who had been reconstructed with multilobed free flap due to large mucosal defects. There was one patient who exhibited severe articulation impairment out of 23 patients. However, 19 patients out of 23 patients showed excellent intelligibility in speech. Conclusion : We concluded that the radial forearm free flap technique is an excellent reconstructive method for the restoration of palatal and pharyngeal function in oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.152-158
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• 2008

Purpose: Mandibulotomy approach and mandible sparing approach are most common methods for oropharyngeal cancer surgery. Good surgical view and convenience of flap inset are advantages of mandibulotomy approach but deformity of mandible contour, postoperative malocclusion and radionecrosis are its limitations. To make up for the limitations, mandible sparing method is commonly performed, but limited surgical view and difficulties of flap inset are the weak points of this approach. The purpose of the study is to compare mandibulotomy and mandible sparing approaches in postoperative complications and progression of the treatment in oropharyngeal cancer operation and reconstruction. Methods: Single reconstructive microsurgeon operated for oropharyngeal cancer patients with different surgeons of head and neck department who prefer mandibulotomy and mandible sparing approach respectively, and we compared the frequency of postoperative complication, operation time, duration of hospitalization and recurrence rate between two different surgical approaches. Results: Mandibulotomy approach was used in 18 patients and mandible sparing approach was used in 15 patients. In mandibulotomy approach, there happened one case of teeth injury and one case of necrosis of skin and gingiva, but there happened no malocclusion and radionecrosis. In mandible sparing approach, there were 3 cases of fistula and 2 cases of infection which are significantly higher than mandibulotomy approach. There were no significant differences between early regional recurrence and duration of hospitalization. Conclusion: In this study we compared two different methods for the surgical approach in oropharyngeal cancer surgery. As mandible sparing approach has difficulties of limited surgical view, it can be used for the limited indications of anterior tongue and mouth floor cancer. Mandibulotomy approach has advantages of good surgical view and convenience of flap inset. In this method preservation of gingival tissue, watertight fashion suture, delicate osteotomy and plate fixation to maintain occlusion are the key points for the successful results.

• 대한두경부종양학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2001.05a
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• pp.102-104
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• 2001

• 대한두경부종양학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.233-233
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• 2008

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.546-551
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• 2006

Purpose: The reconstruction of oropharyngeal defect after cancer surgery is very difficult because of their complicated structure and the functional importance to prevent velopharyngeal incompetence. In this article we investigated affecting factors of velopharyngeal function after reconstruction and a fundamental rule of reconstruction for saving their functions such as swallowing, speeching and breathing. Methods: We classified 18 patients into three group under Kimata's grouping. Type I defect(6 patients) was healed by primary closure or secondary intention. In Type II or III defect, two operation methods were used - the folded flap(8 patients) and modified Gehanno method(4 patients), which include a lateral-posterior pharyngeal rotation-advancement flap. We evaluated wound dehiscence between the flap and the soft palate, speech intelligibility using Hirose's method, regurgitation during oral feeding, and hypernasality. Results: Most of type I or II defects patients recovered satisfactory velopharyngeal function. But, in patients with type III defects we found wound dehiscence, worse speech function, and common velopharyngeal incompetence. Conclusion: The large defect size and presence of wound dehiscence are major factors of postoperative velopharyngeal function. We conclude that folded flap or modified Gehanno method is a good reconstructive operation method for broad contact between the flap and defect site, preventing wound problem.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2003

Background and Objectives: Surgical ablation of tumors in the oral cavity and the oropharynx results in a three dimensional defect because of the needs to resect the adjacent area for the surgical margin. Although a variety of techniques are available, radial forearm free flap has been known as an effective method for this defect, which offers a thin, pliable, and relatively hairless skin and a long vascular pedicle. We report the clinical results of our 54 consecutive radial forearm free flaps used for oral cavity and oropharynx cancers. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the medical records of patients who were offered intraoral reconstruction with a radial forearm free flap after ablative surgery for oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers from August 1994 to February 2003 and analyzed surgical methods, flap survival rate, complication, and functional results. Among these, 20 cases were examined with modified barium swallow to evaluate postoperative swallowing function and other 8 cases with articulation and resonance test for speech. We examined recovery of sensation with two-point discrimination test in 15 cases who were offered sensate flaps. Results: The primary sites were as follows : mobile tongue (18), tonsil (17), floor of mouth (4), base of tongue (2), soft palate (2), retromolar trigone (3), buccal mucosa (1), oro-hypopharynx (6), and lower lip (1). The paddles of flaps were tailored in multilobed designs from oval shape to tetralobed design and in variable size according to the defects after ablation. This procedures resulted in satisfactory flap success rate (96.3%) and showed good swallowing function and social speech. Eight of 15 cases (53.3%) who had offered sensate flap showed recovery of sensation between 1 and 6 postoperative months (average 2.6 month). Conclusion: The reconstruction with radial forearm free flap might be an excellent method for the maximal functional results after ablative surgery of oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers that results in multidimensional defect.