A comparative anatomical study of brachioradialis and flexor carpi ulnaris muscles: Implications for total tongue reconstruction

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Total or subtotal glossectomy following resection of intraoral tumors causes significant morbidity. Recent surgical endeavors have focused on the creation of a neotongue with both sensory and motor innervation. Although various local or regional free flaps have been used for this purpose, the optimal donor site remains undecided. The authors compared the neurovascular anatomy of the brachioradialis and flexor carpi ulnaris to assess their suitability as donor muscles together with overlying skin for functional total or subtotal tongue reconstruction. METHODS: Eighty-eight brachioradialis and 80 flexor carpi ulnaris muscles were studied, comprising 120 dissected specimens, 18 arte..