Studies on reconstructive surgery for oral and maxillofacial regions by using various pedicle flaps

In the past 6 years, from 1982 to 1987, 24 patients received reconstructive surgery using various pedicle flaps for oral and maxillofacial defects. Various flaps were utilized for reconstruction: 14 deltopectoral 5 pectoralis major myocutaneous and 2 forehead flaps for larger defects; and 7 cervical island skin and 4 sternocleidomastoid flaps for moderate defects. As to results, most of the flaps used for the repair of soft tissue enabled sufficient recovery of shape to satisfy these patients. However, recovery of speech and mastication function was not always reliable with these flaps, especially after reconstruction for defects of tongue or gum for which mandibular reconstruction was performed.In this report, some problems which should be considered in oral and maxillofacial defect reconstruction are discussed.