Clinical Presentation
Electromyographic results showed active elevation of the mouth base, indicating successful reinnervation of the flap [PMID:10949348].
Management
Seven controlled studies showed no or negligible benefit of perioperative Arnica montana versus placebo in reducing ecchymosis [PMID:34176651].
Two studies indicated that vitamin K cream was equivalent to placebo in reducing ecchymosis after oculofacial procedures [PMID:34176651].
One study found that oral Melilotus extract resulted in less ecchymosis compared to controls, particularly in paranasal and eyelid areas at postoperative day 7, though not at earlier time points [PMID:34176651].
The innervated gracilis muscle flap, folded and strategically placed, simulated key tongue muscles like the genioglossus and mylohyoid, allowing the patient to resume oral feeding without aspiration [PMID:10949348].
Prognosis & Follow-up
Although the patient regained oral feeding capabilities postoperatively, disease recurrence led to the patient's death one year later [PMID:10949348].
References
1 Tao JP, Aakalu VK, Freitag SK, Sobel RK, Foster JA, Wladis EJ et al.. Homeopathic Agents or Vitamins in Reducing Ecchymosis after Oculofacial Surgery: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Ophthalmology 2022. link 2 Yoleri L, Mavioğlu H. Total tongue reconstruction with free functional gracilis muscle transplantation: a technical note and review of the literature. Annals of plastic surgery 2000. link
2 papers cited of 3 indexed.