Obstructive sleep apnea after radial forearm free flap reconstruction of the oral tongue

Abstract

To determine whether radial forearm free flap reconstruction of the tongue after partial glossectomy is associated with obstructive sleep apnea. Retrospective case series. Fifteen patients (5 men, 10 women) treated for tongue cancer in 2006-2010 by partial glossectomy and immediate radial forearm free flap reconstruction completed the Epworth Sleepiness Scale and underwent polysomnographic studies. Background, clinical, and pathologic data were collected from the medical files. Mean ± SD age of the study group was 57 ± 19 years; body mass index, 24 ± 4; follow-up, 5.6 ± 2.8 years. Mean ± SD Epworth scale score was 8.18 ± 6.18 (normal, <8). Disordered sleep was documented in 11 patients, of whom 8 (53.3% of the cohort) had OSA (5 mild, 2 moderate, 1 severe). The OSA rate was significantly higher than reported in the general population (P = 0.001). Patients after partial glossectomy and radial forearm free flap reconstruction appear to be at high risk of obstructive sleep apnea. Testing for OSA should be considered in these patients.