Intraoral reconstruction of soft palate and oropharynx using the free radial forearm flap

Two cases of reconstructed oropharyngeal defect with free radial forearm flap are presented. Two male patients of forty-six and fifty-one years of age had wide resection including radical neck dissection for advanced squamous cell carcinoma (T4 Ni MO), in the left retromolar trigone in one case, and in the right buccal mucosa in the other. Both patients received surgical reconstruction using the forearm flap in the large defect of the oropharynx and oral mucosa. Their postoperative courses were uneventful, except for slight paresthesia in the anatomical “snuff box” of the hand. Local recurrence and metastasis have not appeared as of 13 and 12 months respectively after operation. Postoperative speech function and velopharyngeal closure are satisfactory in both cases. Consequently, the free radial forearm flap is considered to be suitable and functional for treating oropharyngeal defects in which rehabilitation with conventional flaps or maxillomandibular prosthesis is difficult.