Transverse Cervical Artery Based Free Flap in Reconstruction of a Tongue Defect: A Case Report.

Abstract

In the era of reconstructive surgery, new and revolutionary options are being explored in oro-facial defect reconstruction. As free flaps are presently front runners for reconstruction of defects resulting from resection of benign and malignant lesions, there is a need for devising newer options to serve the need of covering defects following oncological resection. The availability of promising pedicles in the supraclavicular region makes it a potential donor site for harvesting regional flaps, and going forward, free flaps. Transverse cervical artery flap has been a useful regional flap for head and neck reconstruction but there are limited literature pertaining to transverse cervical artery free flap. We report a case of successful reconstruction of tongue defect with transverse cervical artery free flap.