Sensory Recovery of Free Flaps Used in Reconstruction of Tongue after Resection of Squamous Cell Carcinoma: What Factors Could Influence the Process?

Abstract

Reconstruction of defects after resection of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC) becomes an insurmountable thing that aims to improve the life quality of patients. Recently, reconstruction procedure not only aims to restore function and bulk of tongue, but also to restore the sensation modalities that increase efficacy of the neo-tongue. Sensory recovery of neo-tongue remains a very difficult topic that influenced by multiple factors that could delay or diminish sensory recovery process.