Hi all. New here. Just had surgery last week. Because they took just less than 30% of left side of my tongue for SCC, about 15% of entire tongue) they decided to use a full skin graft from my shoulder instead of a tissue rebuild. Going in, the oncologist ENT thought he would need to take 50% of the left side. Anyway, I have been doing very well but the graft has not. I came home from the hospital Monday with bits of the graft already in trouble. Today the front stitches on the top came out. The weight then pulled the others. Now it's only attached at the bottom. We called the plastic surgeon and he says this happens sometimes and we will just wait for the other stitches to dissolve enough to let loose! Really?? I don't see him or the oncologist until Monday. No fever, swelling, redness - in fact the tongue tissue looks very good. Albeit I have a very funky contour. Very pitted. So three questions. Has this happened to anyone here? If so, did you get more surgery to try to ease the contour? If not, was your speech and or chewing affected? I'm actually talking ok. With an impediment but understandable. I assume I can train it as I heal. I really don't think I want additional surgery on it unless they feel it needs to be done for hygienic reasons. I won't find out the pathology of the many lymph nodes they took until next Monday. None lit up on the PET scan but because some were enlarged they were concerned about microscopic SCC.

Wow no. I know grafts can fail due to poor blood supply - I would be asking where your plastics guy got his license - I think whether they do more surgery depends on need - if they feel you should have it done then they will suggest it .. Not fun... Ideally they get it right the first time. Is it turning black?

Hugs and welcome.

Skin grafts are different to flaps. Flaps are more involved. Skin grafts are similar to a lid or cover. I�ve had several skin grafts inside my lower lip and on my tongue flap. About 7 days after the first skin graft, bits of the graft turned purple and small sections of the stitched border came loose and started to detach. I bolted to my Plastic surgeon and she assured me that because our mouth is always full of saliva and moist this was the healing process. The graft was fine.

Flaps need their own separate blood supply. While I was in hospital following my jaw reconstruction my second tongue flap almost died, the flap turned dark instead of pink and healthy. I was prepped immediately for another surgery but thankfully there was only a blockage. Surgeons pricked the flap with a needle several times; the flap started to bleed and several minutes later the flap looked healthy and turned pink as it should.

Hope everything works out well for you.

Yes tonight it's now black. If this needs further surgery I don't think i give this plastic surgeon a shot at it. I'm thinking it's a small enough area, I'll live with the deformity if my oncologist agrees. Not liking that we were put off this afternoon with 'there is nothing to be done now. Keep your appointment on Monday." We called the plastic surgeon on call about 8 pm after the top pulled completely away and fell to the bottom of my mouth and when we saw it was totally black. He said wait until tomorrow unless I run a high fever I won't even tell you the other suggestion he had because it shocked me so. Sigh. Cancer sucks. Especially this one.

Fever or no fever, they should check it out immediately for you. Yes, this particular cancer is a shocker! It is tough!

Karen

Im so sorry to read what you are going thru! This needs medical attention. If you have not been checked yet, go to the ER.

Wishing you all the very best!!!

Hi all. Well bit by bit as I did my swish and spits they the night pieces kept coming off. Finally this morning the last stitch let go and it all came out. There is a very very thin layer of graft still on the tongue. Looks integrated. The tongue is healthy pink and actually looks quite good. I mean it's not smooth because of the excision but overall doesn't look bad. I was shocked that neither phone call got the response of being seen that I thought they should have. It truly was gross having that much necrotic tissue in my mouth for 12 plus hours. I will be expressing my displeasure to the plastic surgeon at my Monday visit and also to my oncologist since he works with this other doc. If this was what might have happened we should have been told.

If you have any other issues with this before your appointment, get checked out at the ER. Dont hesitate to bypass the surgeon who should have brought you in and taken a look at what was going on.

Best wishes!

Thanks Christine. Being watchful. Was in contact with them after it fell off. I just wish he'd have answered our questions better after surgery. The oncology ENT group is great about that. No so much the plastic surgeons team. Oh well. If I need future plastic surgery I will likely being seeking another doc.

I am glad to hear that this has resolved itself ok. You are very brave and strong - I would have been a basket case. Hoping for a complete lack of drama in your continued healing.
Maria