Patient Nguyen Van Hoat (name changed), born in 1962, residing in Khanh Hoa province, had a tumor on the left side of his tongue for about two months, mild pain but rapidly increasing in size. After examination at the Institute of Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, Military Hospital 175, the patient was diagnosed with stage II left tongue cancer.
After consultation between the Institute of Oncology and Nuclear Medicine and the Department of Surgery and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, Military Hospital 175, doctors decided to remove the tumor combined with reconstruction of the missing area with under-nail muscle patches. The reconstruction method was chosen based on the location of the injury, stage of the disease and health condition of each patient.
Colonel, BS.CKII Nguyen Trong Duc, Head of the Department of Surgery and Maxillofacial Plastic Surgery, Military Hospital 175, said that current tongue cancer treatment is not only aimed at completely removing the tumor but also to regenerate the damaged area to reduce the risk of recurrence, while restoring eating function, pronunciation and ensuring aesthetics.
According to Dr. Duc, after surgery to remove oral cavity cancer, patients may have tissue defects of varying degrees. If not properly regenerated, patients will face many difficulties in eating, talking and daily activities.
The under-nail muscle patch is a technique that uses the skin and muscles in the anterior neck area, still preserving the supplying blood vessel system, then transferring it to regenerate the missing area after removing the tumor. This method allows removal of lesions and immediate regeneration in one surgery, with soft, flexible tissue, suitable for the structure of the tongue and palate. At the same time, the surgical time is shortened, treatment costs are reduced compared to some complex microsurgery techniques, while still achieving a high patch survival rate if indicated correctly.
The technique is especially suitable for small and moderate lesions after tongue cancer surgery, including elderly people or those with multiple underlying conditions.
Doctors recommend that tongue cancer and oral floor cancer have a good prognosis if detected early. People should not be subjective when ulcers appear in the mouth for a long time, abnormal masses in the tongue or symptoms do not subside. Early examination helps improve treatment effectiveness, while creating conditions to apply appropriate regenerative methods, preserve chewing function, pronunciation and improve quality of life.
