Pedicle tongue flap for closure of an oroantral defect after partial maxillectomy.

The position, size, and composition of the tongue make it ideal as a potential donor site for repair of certain oral defects. Adherence to principles of sound flap design must be followed. A technique for closure of large oroantral communications with use of a pedicled graft from the lateral border of the tongue has been described. This procedure provides the patient with immediate repair of the defect, while maintaining the relatively normal anatomic architecture of the oral cavity. We believe that this technique is also applicable to closure of other types of oroantral defects in addition to those described.