The trapezius osteomyocutaneous island flap for reconstructing hemimandibular and oral defects following the ablation of advanced oral malignant tumours.

OBJECTIVE

This study presents an effective repair method for the hemimandibular and oral defects produced during the ablation of advanced oral malignant tumours.

METHODS

Nine patients (five males and four females ranging in age from 18 to 74 years; mean age 51.3 years) with advanced oral malignant tumours were treated at our institution. Trapezius osteomyocutaneous island flaps (TOIFs) including the acromion, spine, and part of the medial scapular border were used to repair the hemimandibular and oral defects.

RESULTS

No major flap failure occurred. Donor-site problems have been minimal, with limited shoulder motion in all patients. The functional results in terms of speech, swallowing, and facial contour were satisfactory. The patients were followed for 6-24 months (average 15.2 months): six of them are alive with no disease, two alive with disease; and one has died of a lung metastasis.

CONCLUSION

The TOIF is large, simple, and reliable, and is preferred for reconstructing hemimandibular and oral defects.