Intraoral cheek transposition flap for primary reconstruction of the soft palate.

A method for primary reconstruction of the soft palate following radical tumor resection is described. The resulting defects can be repaired with 2 layers of tissue by combination of a cranial pedicled pharyngeal flap and a cranial pedicled intraoral cheek transposition (IOCT-) flap. For additional resection of the lateral pharyngeal wall the technique can be combined with a masseter crossover flap. The method allows satisfying restoration of swallowing and speech with relatively small operative effort.