[Primary covering of oropharyngeal defects after block resection of large malignant tumors (author's transl)].

The covering of defects in ablative oral surgery is associated with particular problems because, in order to avoid the formation of salivary fistulas, a primary closure should be aimed at. Between 1973 and 1975 86 carcinomas of the floor of the mouth, the tongue or the oropharynx were treated by block resection including radical neck dissection without preoperative radiation in 28 Cases the forehead flap and in 20 cases the tongue flap were employed. While the foreheaded flap necessitates the preservation of the ipsilateral A. carotis externa, the tongue flap can be used even if the ipsilateral lingual artery is sacrified. The tongue flap has functional and cosmetic advantages in comparison to the forehead flap. The temporarily transsected mandibula was refixed by compression plates without intermaxillary wiring.