The radial forearm flap in intraoral reconstruction after a pull-through operation.

Free fasciocutaneous forearm flaps, based on the radial artery, were used to replace the tissue defect caused by pull-through operations for cancer of the floor of the mouth in 11 patients. There was no total or partial flap failure. The greatest advantage of the method is that restriction of the tongue movement is less when compared with the results of other methods. The thin forearm flaps are adaptable and pliable. The newly developed lower alveolar crest and the sublingual sulcus make prosthetic rehabilitation possible.