[Reconstruction of oral cavity and oropharyngeal defects with a pure muscle-fascia flap].

As a rule carcinomas of the oral cavity and oropharynx are not diagnosed in early stages. Surgical resections of these tumors including margins of safety invariably result in large defects. At present, one-stage flap techniques are preferred for reconstruction, as exemplified by pectoralis major myocutaneous flaps and free revascularized jejunum grafts. The skin island of the myocutaneous flap is underlayed by fat tissue as a sliding surface. Temporary sutures are necessary but have the disadvantage of producing a convex configuration. This shape compromises anatomical reconstruction of the oral cavity and oropharynx. Robertson et al. in 1985 demonstrated an alternative method for a muscle-fascia flap from the pectoralis major muscle. In comparison to the temporalis muscle-fascia flap, the pectoralis muscle-fascia flap is associated with a lesser incidence of complications. Although it is still too early to conclude their definitive use, their application in some cases is now being questioned because of such factors as reduced time of anesthesia.