Functional reconstruction of mobile tongue and suprahyoid muscles after resection of cancer of the tongue

Abstract

The mobile tongue and the suprahyoid muscles were reconstructed in a man who had had a total resection of the mobile tongue with the oral floor and bilateral radical neck dissection (extensive resection of the bilateral suprahyoid muscles) for cancer of the tongue. A rectus abdominis musculocutaneous flap with the tenth intercostal nerve anastomosed to the remaining hypoglossal nerve was used for the reconstruction. The rectus abdominis muscle was inserted between the mandible and the hyoid bone, taking account of the anatomical positions of the tongue and suprahyoid muscles; the rectus sheath was then firmly sutured to the mandible and hyoid bone. This procedure created firm tendinous insertions between the mandible and hyoid bone. After the operation, the reconstructed tongue showed no sign of atrophy, and the reconstructed supra-hyoid muscles (rectus abdominis muscle) could be moved, and the hyoid bone could be raised.