Reconstruction using a radial forearm flap after excision of pleomorphic adenoma arising in the soft palate

Report of 3 cases

Abstract

The soft palate plays an important role in articulation and swallowing. Repair of large surgical defects of the soft palate is extremely difficult and it may result in velopharyngeal dysfunction.
Three cases of immediate reconstruction using a free radial forearm flap after excision of a massive pleomorphic adenoma arising in the soft palate are reported.In these patients, we evaluated articulatory and velopharyngeal functions preoperatively and postoperatively. Articulatory function was assessed by intelligibility tests involvingthe pronunciation of 100 Japanese monosyllables, and velopharyngeal function was evaluated by blowing ratio. All patients had successful restoration of articulatory and velopharyngeal functions, with normal speech, swallowing, and nasal breathing. These results indicatedthat reconstruction using a radial forearm flap was effective for preserving velopharyngeal function and speech intelligibility in patients with large defects following excision ofsoft palate tumors.