Microsurgical reconstruction of the hard palate after resections for malignant tumors
Authors: Bolotin М. V. , Mudunov A. M. , Sobolevsky V. Yu. , Akhundov А. А. , Gelfand I. M. , Sapromadze S. V. 
Published: January 2021

Background. The main aims of hard palate reconstruction include separation of the nasal and oral cavities, restoration of chewing, swallowing, speech, ensuring good aesthetic results, and preparation for dental rehabilitation. The choice of reconstruction method is determined by such factors as the nature and location of the defect, surgeon’s experience in certain reconstruction methods, cancer prognosis, and patient’s preference. The study objective is to analyze the results of microsurgical reconstruction of hard palate defects using different types of flaps.

Materials and methods. Forty-one (41) patients underwent microsurgical reconstruction of defects of the hard palate, soft palate, and alveolar process between 2014 and 2020. Defects of the anterior portion of the hard palate (grade I, IIc, IId according to the classification of J.S. Brown; grade IB, II, III according to the classification of D.J. Okay) were formed in 13 cases; all of them involved the alveolar margin of the maxilla to some extent. To repair these defects, we used flaps containing revascularized bone (n = 10; scapular tip flaps in 8 patients and fibular flaps in 2 patients) and fasciocutaneous or musculocutaneous flaps (n = 3; radial fasciocutaneous flaps in 2 patients and musculocutaneous flap from the anterior surface of the thigh in 1 patient). Defects of the posterior portion of the hard palate (grade Ib according to the classification of J.S. Brown; grade Ib according to the classification of D.J. Okay) were formed in 18 patients. To repair these defects, we used radial fasciocutaneous flaps (n = 17) and fibular autologous graft containing skin, muscles, and bone (n = 1). Soft palate resection was performed in 10 patients; all surgeries were combination, since the lateral oropharyngeal wall was included in the block of removed tissues. None of the patients had the opposite side affected. These defects were repaired using radial fasciocutaneous flaps.

Results. Six patients (15 %) developed total flap necrosis due to venous thrombosis on days 2, 3, and 6 postoperatively; two patients developed flap necrosis due to arterial thrombosis 2 days postoperatively. Good speech quality was achieved in 33 patients (80 %), while 6 patients (15 %) had satisfactory speech; rhinolalia was observed in 2 patients (5 %). All patients with defects of the posterior hard palate and of the soft palate had excellent aesthetic results. Among participants with defects of the anterior hard palate and alveolar process, 10 patients had excellent aesthetic results, while 5 individuals had good results. Three patients had unsatisfactory results due to scarring in the middle portion of the face.

Conclusion. Patients with subtotal defects of the hard palate and defects of its anterior portion (grade I, IIb, IIc according to the classification of J.S. Brown; grade II, III according to the classification of D.J. Okay) require repair of the alveolar margin of the maxilla; flaps containing revascularized bone are preferable in this case. The method of choice is defect repair using musculoskeletal scapular tip flap. In patients with short defects, defects located posteriorly, minimal or no defect of the alveolar margin of the maxilla (grade Ia, IB according to the classification of J.S. Brown; grade Ia, Ib according to the classification of D.J. Okay; grade V according to the classification of M.A. Aramany), soft palate defects, radial fasciocutaneous flaps should be used.