HI Jill,

I had about the same package as you in Feb 04 except mine was a subtotal glossectomy (some tongue base left that allows me to taste) and some pharyngeal reconstruction. My flap was taken from my forearm and is sewn to the floor of my mouth. I asked my ENT about freeing up the flap thinking I could get it to move, but he was quick to tell me it is NOT a functional tongue. I did find out from a post here by nancyt about a palatal drop mouth prosthesis that lowers the upper palate and assists somewhat in speech and swallowing. You have to find a maxillofacial Prosthodontist for this. It has helped but does NOT replace what a mobile tongue does. I have searched all the sites and med journals and have found nothing like what you are referring to.

My speech therapist insist I use a large syringe to force food back to the rear of my mouth where I can swallow OK. I passed the barium test last year, How are you managing a semi-solid diet without a syringe and a mobile tongue? I am still on a PEG for most of my diet of ProBalance supplement and am trying to take more by mouth syringe and less by PEG to eventually get weaned off.

A friend found an article in July 2003 about a guy in Austria who had a successful tongue transplant but have read nothing since. Don't know he is doing long term. Nothing in any of the US med journals that I can find. Good luck in your search and continuing recovery!

Jim Haucke