OBJECTIVE

In this study, twenty-two oncologic patients who had been diagnosed with intraoral SCCA affecting the tongue and the floor of the mouth and who had undergone wide resection of the tumor and immediate reconstruction with an inferiorly pedicled FAMM flap and immediate osseointegrated implants were assessed. Lingual mobility, speech articulation, deglutition, implant success rate, mouth opening, and aesthetic results were evaluated.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

All patients were staged as T2 and the defect size ranged from 3.7 x2.1 cm to 6.3 x 4.2 cm. A selective neck dissection was performed in all patients as part of their oncologic treatment, either electively or for node positive disease. Thirteen patients (59%) were diagnosed with node positive disease and underwent adjuvant radiotherapy.

RESULTS

A total of 101 osseointegrated implants were placed for prosthetic rehabilitation and 8 implants were lost (7.9%), of which 7 received radiotherapy (87.5%). The implant success rate was 92.1%. Mouth opening was reported as normal in 19 patients (86.3%). Tongue tip elevation was reported as excellent in 19 patients (86.3%) and good in 3 patients (13.6%). Lingual protrusion was referred to as excellent in 15 patients (68.2%) and good in 6 patients (27.2%). Lateral excursion was reported as excellent in 14 patients (63.6%) and good in 7 patients (31.8%). In terms of speech articulation, 20 patients reported normal speech (90.9%). Regarding deglutition, 19 patients (86.3%) reported a regular diet while a soft diet was reported by 3 patients (13.7%). Aesthetic results were referred to as excellent in 17 patients (77.3%).

CONCLUSION

FAMM flaps, immediate implants and fixed prostheses enable the functional rehabilitation of oncologic patients, optimizing aesthetics and functional outcomes even in patients undergoing irradiation, thus returning oncologic patients to an excellent quality of life.