Repair of large pharyngeal defects--new applications of split thickness skin graft.

Stomach and pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps have both been effective in providing hypopharyngeal lining and muscle bulk to close large oropharyngeal fistulae. Their robust musculature has also proven an ideal bed for the application of a split-thickness skin graft, when dealing with the replacement of major anterior neck skin defects. In addition, the pectoralis myocutaneous flap, when half tubed, is an excellent method of reconstructing resected tongue base, markedly improving the function of tongue remnant.