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J Reconstr Microsurg 2015; 31(09): 688-691
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1558430
Letter to the Editor: Short Report
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Usefulness of a Reconstructive Method for Oropharyngeal Defect Including the Larger Soft Palate with the Bent Anterolateral Thigh Flap

Authors

  • Atsumori Hamahata

    1   Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Saitama Cancer Center, Saitama, Japan

  • Takeshi Beppu

    2   Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Saitama Cancer Center, Saitama, Japan

  • Taro Fujikawa

    2   Division of Head and Neck Surgery, Saitama Cancer Center, Saitama, Japan

  • Takashi Yamaki

    3   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan

  • Hiroyuki Sakurai

    3   Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
Further Information

Publication History

19 February 2015

11 June 2015

Publication Date:
10 August 2015 (online)

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For soft palate defects of less than two-thirds, a velopharyngoplasty using lateral and posterior pharyngeal flaps called the “Gehanno method” is suggested as one of the most reliable techniques.[1] However, for larger-sized soft defects the lateral pharyngeal flap cannot be sutured to the nasal soft palate, so this method cannot be simply applied to soft palate defects of more than two-thirds.

We modified the Gehanno method and applied it to soft palate defects of more than two-thirds and treated eight patients using the new method, examining their outcomes and complications after 6 months postoperation.