Repair of anterior floor of mouth defects: the island pedicle tongue flap.

The island pedicle tongue flap has been utilized for situations where split-thickness skin or dermis had been used previously. It has been found to provide rapid, reliable healing, without excess scarring or problems of desquamation. No functional deficit of the tongue is produced, so swallowing and speech remain unaffected. This method is recommended for those anterior floor of mouth lesions amenable to wide local excision, but too large for primary closure.