WITHDRAWN:One-Stage Reconstruction of the Tongue using the Infrahyoid Myocutaneous Flap after Resection for Oral Cancer as an Alternative to Free Flaps.

Ahead of Print article withdrawn by publisher:OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS:: The aim of this study was to describe our results in reconstructive surgery after cancer ablation using the less popular infrahyoid myocutaneous flap as an alternative method to free flaps. Infrahyoid muscles are very useful as a neurovascular myofascial flap in plastic reconstructive surgery of the upper aerodigestive tract, particularly in the restoration of the muscular components in small and medium tongue defects. The surgical technique and the postoperative outcomes are described. STUDY DESIGN:: Retrospective study. METHODS:: During the period 2000 to 2006, 32 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue were surgically treated using a pure infrahyoid myocutaneous neurovascular flap. RESULTS:: The flap was successful in all cases without flap necrosis, fistula or complications in the donor site. Spontaneous epithelization of the flap took about 2 months to complete, with no evidence of scarring and/or shrinkage. After radiation therapy, flap tissues remained sufficiently soft, trophic, and mobile. Ultrasound evaluation of tongue mobility performed at the time of discharging and 3 and 6 months after surgery, showed normal bolus propulsion. Cinefluoroscopy also showed good function of the reconstructed tongue. CONCLUSIONS:: Tongue reconstruction with a microvascular anastomosed flap can improve functional results after cancer resection. However, in our experience using monolateral or bilateral infrahyoid myocutaneous flap is less time consuming and reduces the complication rate and the operation time in both small and large defects. The main advantage of this flap is its voluntary innervation by the ansa cervicalis and the prevention of scarring and atrophy of the neotongue.