Pectoralis major myocutaneous versus pectoralis major myofascial flap for type III and type IV tongue defects reconstruction in patients operated for squamous cell carcinoma: A protocol.

Reconstruction following extensive resection of tongue squamous cell carcinoma remains challenging because the optimal pedicled flap for achieving superior functional recovery and aesthetic outcomes is still uncertain. Therefore, it is of interest to compare pectoralis major myocutaneous (PMMC) and pectoralis major myofascial (PMMF) flaps for reconstruction of Type III and Type IV tongue defects in patients undergoing surgical treatment for squamous cell carcinoma. Twenty-four eligible patients will be randomly allocated into two groups, and post-operative outcomes including flap-related complications, tongue shape, swallowing, speech and tongue mobility will be evaluated at 1 week, 1 month and 3 months using standardized clinical assessment scales. Functional and aesthetic outcomes between the two reconstruction techniques will be analyzed using appropriate statistical methods to determine differences in clinical performance and patient rehabilitation. Thus, data shows to generate evidence that supports selection of the most effective pedicled flap for tongue reconstruction and improves functional recovery, quality of life and clinical decision-making in resource-constrained settings.