Floor of mouth reconstruction with free dorsalis pedis flap.

Inadequate function frequently follows extensive obliterative surgery in the oral cavity. Extra tissue will allow closure and reconstruction of the defect with improvement of oral competency. We describe a method wherein a free dorsalis pedis arterialized flap is used for closure of intraoral defects. This method has the following advantages: (1) The flap may be raised while the extirpative portion of the procedure is in progress. (2) There is no need for prior delays of the flap. (3) The skin of the dorsalis pedia area is thinner than that of other flap ares, allowing the flap to be twisted along several planes. (4) A second procedure is not needed to return the base of the "flap pedicle." (5) The time of operation was not found to be greater than that in cases in which a forehead or deltopectoral flap was used.