Infrahyoid Flap, a Convenient Alternative for Reconstruction of Tongue and Floor of Mouth Defects: Case Series

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to share our clinical experience with the neurovascular myofasiocutan infrahyoid flap (NMIHF), which was used for thereconstruction of the defects after oral cavity cancersurgery.Methods: Records of five patients who were diagnosed with oral cavity cancer and underwent tumorresection, neck dissection, and defect reconstructionwith NMIHF between 2012 and 2017 were analyzedretrospectively.Results: The infrahyoid flap was used in five patients:four males and one female. The mean age of patientswas 61.8 years. Four patients underwent tumor resection and bilateral level I-III neck dissection, whereasone patient underwent tumor resection and unilateral level I-III neck dissection. NMIHF was used forthe reconstruction of the defects during the sameprocedure in all the patients. Mean post-operativefollow-up was 30.6 months. Partial skin necrosis wasobserved in two patients, but none of the patientsshowed total necrosis of the flap. Postoperatively, oralintake was initiated after an average of 12 days in allpatients. For two patients who required post-operative radiotherapy (RT), the treatment was started afteran average of 50 days.Conclusion: NMIHF does not prolong operationtime and does not cause additional scar in the neck,and the defect in the donor field can be closed without the use of a graft or flap. This is considered to bea reliable and successful alternative to free flaps for thereconstruction of oral cavity defects.