Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42616334›Full record

Trial reportAnnals of surgical oncology2026

Clinical Efficacy of Neurorrhaphy in Anterolateral Thigh Flap Reconstruction for Tongue Cancer Defects: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Peijing Ye, Jinhui Rao, Tao Xie, Zaihui Wang, Wenda Zhang, Dongyan He, Junxian Yu, Lei Li, Chuanzheng Sun

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in Annals of surgical oncology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing 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

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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

9 authors.

Peijing Ye *Department of Head and Neck Surgery Section II, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
Jinhui Rao *Department of Head and Neck Surgery Section II, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
Tao XieDepartment of Head and Neck Surgery Section II, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
Zaihui WangDepartment of Head and Neck Surgery Section II, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
Wenda ZhangDepartment of Head and Neck Surgery Section II, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
Dongyan HeDepartment of Head and Neck Surgery Section II, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
Junxian YuDepartment of Head and Neck Surgery Section II, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China.
Lei LiDepartment of Head and Neck Surgery Section II, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China. lilei@kmmu.edu.cn.
Chuanzheng SunDepartment of Head and Neck Surgery Section II, the Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University, Kunming, China. scz008@126.com.

Funding

National Natural Science Foundation of China 82060499National Natural Science Foundation of China 82560499
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundOral cancer, particularly tongue cancer, can lead to significant functional impairments, including loss of sensation and speech and swallowing difficulties. The anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap is typically used for reconstructing tongue defects, but restoring sensory and motor functions remains challenging. Nerve anastomosis has been proposed to enhance functional recovery.

methodsThis randomized controlled trial included 40 patients who underwent hemiglossectomy and reconstruction with ALT flaps. Patients were assigned to two groups: the ALT group (n = 19), with no nerve anastomosis, and the neural anterolateral thigh flap (N-ALT) group (n = 21), with simultaneous nerve anastomosis. Functional outcomes, including sensory, speech, and swallowing assessments, were evaluated at 2, 6, and 12 months postsurgery. Quality of life (QoL) was also assessed using the University of Washington Quality of Life (UW-QoL) questionnaire.

resultsCompared with the ALT group, the N-ALT group showed significantly better sensory recovery, including two-point discrimination and touch pressure sensation (p < 0.05). Speech and swallowing functions were also superior in the N-ALT group at 2, 6, and 12 months after surgery. Additionally, patients in the N-ALT group had better QoL, especially in the emotional and swallowing domains. Flap volume analysis revealed less atrophy in the N-ALT group.

conclusionsNerve anastomosis during ALT flap reconstruction for tongue cancer significantly improves sensory, speech, and swallowing functions, contributing to better postoperative quality of life. These findings support the use of nerve anastomosis as an effective strategy for enhancing functional recovery in tongue cancer reconstruction. Further long-term studies are needed to validate these benefits.

Indexed as

Carcinoma, Squamous CellPlastic Surgery ProceduresSurgical FlapsThighTongue NeoplasmsAdultAgedAnastomosis, SurgicalFemaleFollow-Up StudiesGlossectomyHumansMaleMiddle AgedPrognosisQuality of LifeAnterolateral thigh flapNerve anastomosisQuality of lifeSensory recoveryTongue cancer

Identifiers

PMID42616334

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

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.