Soft Palate Reconstruction with Free Peroneal Flap Transfer

Abstract

Reconstruction of the soft palate remains a great challenge for head and neck surgeons, although several new reconstructive procedures have been developed. As the reconstructed soft palate is immobile, postoperative velopharyngeal function would be impaired.
A 45-year-old female was admitted to Kanazawa University Hospital due to palatal adenoid cystic carcinoma that invaded the hard palate, lateral pharyngeal wall and left medial pterygoid muscle.
The tumor was resected and reconstruction was performed with free peroneal fasciocutaneous flap transfer. Since the peroneal flap is as thin and pliable as a radial forearm flap, a good postoperative velopharyngeal function was obtained.
We reviewed other reconstructive procedures in comparison with our method.