Extended vertical lower trapezius island myocutaneous flap in reconstruction of oral and maxillofacial defects after salvage surgery for recurrent oral carcinoma.

PURPOSE: 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. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 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. RESULTS: 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. CONCLUSION: 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.