The infrahyoid musculocutaneous flap for the oral cavity reconstruction

The aim of the present study is the analysis of the results of the reconstruction of oncologic defects of the oral cavity with the infrahyoid musculocutaneous flap. Materials and methods Since July, 2009 through February, 2016 41 patients with oral cavity cancer (floor of the mouth - 33, tongue - 4, lower gingiva - 3 and retromolar trigone - 1) aged between 45 and 73 year were operated on. 11 patients had T1, 18 - T2, 1 - T3 and 11 - T4 tumors. 17 patients were N positive. Marginal and segmental mandibulectomy was performed in 19 and 1 cases, respectively. Neck dissection was performed in 39 patients being bilateral in 16 cases. Quality of life (QoL) assessment was performed with standard EORTC QLQ-C30 version 3.0 EORTC QLQ-H&N35 questionnaires before and 6 to 9 months after the completion of the treatment. Results Partial flap loss was observed in 10 cases (24%). Muscular portion of the flap remained viable in all cases. Relatively low incidence of the salivary fistula (2,4%) can be explained by that fact. Neck wound breakdown occurred in 9 patients (22%). All patients were able to resume oral food intake 8,3 days after the operation on average. All complications were managed conservatively. QoL assessment revealed significant improvement in pain and function scale.