Use of an anteriorly based ventral tongue flap to reconstruct the lower vermilion following early-stage cancer ablation.

BACKGROUND: Reconstruction of lower vermilion defects is surgically challenging.

AIMS: This study evaluated whether lower vermilion defects can be repaired using tongue flaps, and the reconstructive outcomes.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 11 patients with early-stage lower vermilion cancers who underwent lower vermilion reconstruction using anteriorly based ventral tongue flaps following cancer ablation. We treated eight males and three females aged 54-67 years (median, 59.8 years). The defect/tongue flap dimensions ranged from 1.8 × 3.5 to 2.0 × 4.5 cm (median, 1.87 × 3.81 cm).

RESULTS: No major complication developed in any patient. The postoperative esthetic results, orbicularis oris functions, and speech functions were excellent in six, eight, and nine patients, and satisfactory in five, three, and two, respectively. The patients were followed up for 13-36 months (median, 21.7 months); two local recurrences developed, and these patients underwent salvage surgeries.

CONCLUSIONS: An anteriorly based ventral tongue flap is a safe and feasible option for reconstruction of lower vermilion defects.