Tongue reconstruction after hemiglossectomy with the Free Medial Sural Artery Perforator Flap

Abstract

The medial sural artery perforator （MSAP） flap was first described in 2001 by Cavadas et al. We report three cases of MSAP flap for tongue reconstruction after hemiglossectomy. All of the flaps survived. Mean operation time was 499 minutes, and mean flap ischemic time was 41 minutes. On post-operative day 11, patients started oral intake, and were discharged from the hospital on post-operative day 26.
Having a long vascular pedicle with large-caliber vessels without sacrificing a major extremity artery, pliable soft tissue, and primary donor site closure is possible if the flap is less than 7cm wide, the flap was shown to be a good alternative option for head and neck reconstruction. It may be a possible substitute for forearm flap.