M B Gillespie1, D W Eisele. 1. The Department of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the indications, complications, and outcomes of the uvulopalatal flap in the reconstruction of defects of the soft palate. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. METHODS: Patient data were obtained from the hospital records of 18 patients who had soft palate defects reconstructed with the uvulopalatal flap over a 5-year period at a tertiary academic medical center. RESULTS: Eleven patients had the uvulopalatal flap as the sole method of reconstruction, whereas this flap was used in combination with a radial forearm free flap, pectoralis flap, and skin graft in 4, 2, and 1 patients, respectively. All flaps were successful in soft palate reconstruction. One flap was successfully revised after additional tumor resection. A partial flap dehiscence occurred in one patient and healed uneventfully. Speech and swallowing function was dependent on initial tumor stage and the scope of tumor resection. CONCLUSIONS: The uvulopalatal flap is a simple and effective method of soft palate reconstruction either alone or in combination with other methods of reconstruction for selected oropharyngeal defects.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the indications, complications, and outcomes of the uvulopalatal flap in the reconstruction of defects of the soft palate. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review. METHODS:Patient data were obtained from the hospital records of 18 patients who had soft palate defects reconstructed with the uvulopalatal flap over a 5-year period at a tertiary academic medical center. RESULTS: Eleven patients had the uvulopalatal flap as the sole method of reconstruction, whereas this flap was used in combination with a radial forearm free flap, pectoralis flap, and skin graft in 4, 2, and 1 patients, respectively. All flaps were successful in soft palate reconstruction. One flap was successfully revised after additional tumor resection. A partial flap dehiscence occurred in one patient and healed uneventfully. Speech and swallowing function was dependent on initial tumor stage and the scope of tumor resection. CONCLUSIONS: The uvulopalatal flap is a simple and effective method of soft palate reconstruction either alone or in combination with other methods of reconstruction for selected oropharyngeal defects.
Authors: Meghan T Turner; Mathew Geltzeiler; W Greer Albergotti; Umamaheswar Duvvuri; Robert L Ferris; Seungwon Kim; Eric W Wang Journal: J Robot Surg Date: 2019-06-10
Authors: Meghan T Turner; Mathew N Geltzeiler; Jad Ramadan; Jessica M Moskovitz; Robert L Ferris; Eric W Wang; Seungwon Kim Journal: Laryngoscope Date: 2021-06-09 Impact factor: 3.325