KẾT QUẢ SỬ DỤNG VẠT CÁNH TAY NGOÀI TỰ DO TRONG ĐIỀU TRỊ CÁC KHUYẾT HỔNG PHẦN MỀM SAU PHẪU THUẬT CẮT UNG THƯ LƯỠI – SÀN MIỆNG

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of using the free lateral arm flap in the treatment of soft tissue defects following surgical resection of tongue and floor-of-mouth cancer. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study without a control group was conducted on 42 patients with tongue and floor-of-mouth cancer who were treated at the 108 Central Military Hospital, the National Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology, and E Hospital from October 2014 to December 2024. Patients underwent tumor resection, lymph node dissection, and reconstruction of the defect using a free lateral arm flap. Clinical indicators, flap survival, and postoperative function were monitored from 3 to 36 months. Results: After tumor resection, the main defect was the tongue in 41/42 cases, accounting for 97.62%, of which 1/2 tongue defect accounted for 62% of the total number of patients, 3/4 tongue defect accounted for 21.43%, 1/3 tongue defect accounted for 14.3%. The smallest size of the outer arm flap was 5 cm × 8 cm, the largest was 8 cm × 18 cm, average: 5.8 cm × 14.5 cm. Good speech function at the 3rd month was 1 patient (2.38%) and by the 24th month was 33 patients (78.57%). The proportion of patients with normal eating increased gradually over time to 24 months after surgery was 33 patients (78.57%), 9 patients (21.42%) still ate solid foods and no patient had to eat through sonde. Conclusion: The lateral forearm flap is suitable for treating tongue-floor defects after cancer resection. Speech and swallowing functions improved significantly after long-term follow-up.