Use of the infra hyoid musculo-cutaneous flap in soft palate reconstruction

Aims To review a series of 23 consecutive patients with squamous cell carcinomas arising from oropharynx who underwent infra hyoid musculo-cutaneous flap reconstruction including soft palate in alternative to free radial forearm flap or maxillofacial prosthesis. Post operative radiotherapy was performed for all patients. Results Every reconstruction healed quickly without major wound complications. The functional results evaluated by speech and swallowing capacities, were good for 17 patients, fair for 4 patients and bad for 2. Conclusions The infra hyoid musculo-cutaneous flap is a versatile, reliable and convenient flap suitable for repairing small and medium sized defects; it can be used in combination with other flaps, and in selected cases obviates the need for a microvascular free radial forearm flap or maxillofacial prosthesis.