Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41048538›Full record

ArticleLaryngoscope investigative otolaryngology2025

Oral Diet Outcomes and Tracheostomy Avoidance After Submental Flap Reconstruction of Oral and Oropharyngeal Defects.

Michael P Wu, Edward S Sim, Tessa Goldsmith, Matthew Kovoor, Derrick T Lin, Jeremy D Richmon, Daniel G Deschler

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Laryngoscope investigative otolaryngology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Michael P WuDepartment of Otolaryngology Massachusetts Eye and Ear Boston Massachusetts USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3881-1020
Edward S SimDepartment of Otolaryngology Massachusetts Eye and Ear Boston Massachusetts USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1632-286X
Tessa GoldsmithDepartment of Speech, Language, and Swallowing Disorders Massachusetts General Hospital Boston Massachusetts USA.
Matthew KovoorDepartment of Otolaryngology Massachusetts Eye and Ear Boston Massachusetts USA.
Derrick T LinDepartment of Otolaryngology Massachusetts Eye and Ear Boston Massachusetts USA.
Jeremy D RichmonDepartment of Otolaryngology Massachusetts Eye and Ear Boston Massachusetts USA.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6588-6549
Daniel G DeschlerDepartment of Otolaryngology Massachusetts Eye and Ear Boston Massachusetts USA.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Objectives: The submental island flap can be used to reconstruct defects of the oral cavity and oropharynx. The objective of this study is to describe functional outcomes after this reconstruction. Methods: Retrospective chart review was performed for 82 patients who underwent submental flap reconstruction of oral cavity cancer defects and 11 with oropharyngeal cancer defects. Primary outcomes were feeding tube use at last follow-up and time from surgery to first oral intake. The secondary outcome was the need for tracheostomy. Results: Feeding tube use at last follow-up was 9% in the oral cavity group and 36% in the oropharynx group. Median time to oral intake was 7 days in both groups. Tracheostomy was avoided in 87% of oral cavity patients and in 46% of oropharynx patients. In regression analysis of the entire cohort, the outcomes of persistent feeding tube use at last follow-up and tracheostomy were associated with the following variables: prior irradiation, oropharyngeal primary site, and adjuvant treatment status. Among the oral cavity group, prior irradiation was associated with persistent feeding tube use. Conclusion: The submental flap can be used in a wide range of oral cavity and oropharyngeal defects, even in elderly patients. This flap can be performed for oral cancers with avoidance of tracheostomy in most cases and reliable resumption of oral diet. Level of Evidence: 4.

Indexed as

dietoral and oropharyngeal reconstructionsubmental flap

Identifiers

PMID41048538
PMCPMC12493023

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.