Extended Vertical Lower Trapezius Island Myocutaneous Flap in Reconstruction of Oral and Maxillofacial Defects After Salvage Surgery for Recurrent Oral Carcinoma

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore an effective repair method for oral and maxillofacial soft-tissue defects after salvage surgery for patients with recurrent oral carcinoma. Eight patients (6 females and 2 males, mean age, 56.9 years) with recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue (n = 4), oral cavity floor (n = 2), and buccal (n = 2) were treated with salvage surgery, and the oral and maxillofacial soft-tissue defects were reconstructed primarily by extended vertical lower trapezius island myocutaneous flap. No flap failure occurred. The donor sites were closed primarily. There were no disabilities with regard to shoulder motion. Followed up after the operation, the survival period of the patients was 6 to 30 months and the average survival period was 13.1 months. There was 1 recurrent case. All of the patients survived. The extended vertical lower trapezius island myocutaneous flap, which is a simple, reliable and large flap, can be preferred as a salvage procedure for oral and maxillofacial soft-tissue defects after salvage surgery for patients with recurrent oral squamous cell carcinoma.