[Platysma myocutaneous flaps in reconstruction of oral defect caused by tumor resection].

Objective: To study the method and feasibility of platysma myocutaneous flap in reconstruction of oral defects.

Methods: From March 2003 to June 2004, 15 patients with defects of tongue, floor of mouth, bucca, lateral pharynx and soft palate were treated with platysma myocutaneous flaps. There were 12 males and 3 females with an age range of 41-77 years. Defect was caused by resection of bucca (11 cases), tongue (1 case), floor of mouth (2 cases)and lateral pharyngeal and soft palate (1 case) squamous cell carcinoma. All patients were given primary cancer dissection and radical neck dissection. The defect sizes were from 3.0 cmX 3.5 cm to 7.0 cm X 4.0 cm. The sizes of the platysma myocutaneous flap were from 7.0 cm x 3.5 cm to 12.0 cm x 4.0 cm.

Results: All the patients were followed up for 6-12 months. In 15 patients, the flap survived, and the color and appearance of the flaps were normal. Mouth-opening was not limited. Eight patients had cutaneous fistula after 10-15 days of operation and were cured by secondary operation. No complication of ankyloglossia and tumor relapse occurred. The operation results were satisfactory.

Conclusion: Platysma myocutaneous flap has generous blood supply, it is useful in reconstruction of oral tissue defects.