Reconstruction of tissue defects by infrahyoid myocutaneous flap in elder patients after oral cancer surgery

Objective: To investigate the role of repairing tissue defects by infrahyoid myocutaneous flap after oral cancer surgery in elder patients.

Methods: From December 2005 to November 2010, we used infrahyoid myocutaneous flaps to reconstruct soft tissue defects in 19 elder patients after radical operation of oral cancer. There were 11 males and 8 females with the age range of 65 to 89 years (average: 72.8) .The lesions included 10 tongue cancers, 2 buccal cancers, 6 mouth floor cancers and 1 gingival cancer.

Results: All wound healed uneventfully, and all the 19 infrahyoid myocutaneous flaps survived without total or partial necrosis. The results were satisfactory both in appearance and functions. The patients were followed up for 6 months to 5 years, no tumour relapse and metastasis occurred.

Conclusions: The procedure of preparing the infrahyoid myocutaneous flap is simple and the result is reliable. The flap is useful for reconstruction of soft tissue defects in elder patients.