The use of the free flaps in surgical treatment of the oral cavity malignant tumors

The aim of the present paper is to analyze the results of the reconstruction of the ablative defects of the oral cavity with free flaps. Since May, 2008 through August, 2012 41 operations were performed. In 86,5% of cases patients with locally advanced stage III-IV disease were operated. Reconstruction was primary in all cases. 30 radial forearm fasciocutaneous, 9 anterolateral thigh, 1 latissimus dorsi and 1 scapular osteocutaneous flaps were used. The reconstruction was successful in 38 cases (92,7%). Oral feeding was restored in all patient in 10,4 days after the operation on average. Salivary fistula occurred in 3 patients (7,9%). Some details of the reconstructive stage of the operations are presented in the article. Our results confirm high efficiency of the microsurgical autotransplantation.