ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of facial artery musculomucosal (FAMM) flap for small-medium tongue or floor of mouth defects caused by surgical resection of early-medium stage tongue or floor of mouth cancer.
MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted and included patients with early-medium stage tongue or floor of mouth cancer and reconstructed by FAMM flap or traditional free or axial flaps. Demographic data and surgery-related data were collected. Patients were followed up for 6 months and evaluated with satisfaction, maximal mouth opening, satisfactory contour and speech, and oral intake function at months 3 and 6.
ResultsForty-five patients were included, with 15 in the FAMM group and 30 in the flap group. All patients finished 3 months follow-up, and 1 in each group was lost to follow-up at month 6. All followed-up patients had no recurrence or metastasis. The FAMM group had a significantly shorter surgical time than the flap group (P<0 .05). the flap group had significantly more donor sites that were uncomfortable compared with the famm group (P<0 .05). there was no statistical significance on satisfaction, but the famm group had better outcomes on contour, speech, and oral intake function at month 6 than the flap group (P<0 .05). the famm group had smaller maximal mouth opening than the flap group (P<0 .05) at month 3 but equivalent maximal mouth opening at month 6 (P>0.05).
ConclusionFAMM flap has some advantages for small-medium tongue or floor of mouth defects caused by surgical resection of early-medium stage tongue or floor of mouth cancer, and it could be an ideal choice for clinical application.
