[Modified set back tongue flap: an alternative surgical approach in the reconstruction of defects of the base of the tongue].

The base of the tongue after tumor resection can be reconstructed in several ways. In addition to direct suturing of small defects, a variety of local or microvascularly anastomosed flaps have been described. The present paper is aimed at introducing a local tongue flap for the reconstruction of medium-sized defects. Six patients were treated at the hospital between 1999 and 2002 with the above technique to cover defects affecting one-half to three-fourths of the base of the tongue. One patient had secondary bleeding and the other one experienced no complications. Nutrition could be started after 7.5 days (4-12) postoperatively on average. The tracheostomy was closed at 16.2 days (12-22) on average after the initial operation. The hospitalization of the patients was 20.3 days (15-27) on average. The modified set back tongue flap is an alternative in the reconstruction of subtotal defects of the base of the tongue. Easy handling, good functional outcome in swallowing, and the low complication rate were advantageous in the present series.