Cervical-pectoral flaps in the treatment of advanced oral cancer

Twenty-two of 90 patients with carcinoma of the anterior oral cavity treated at the Minneapolis Veterans Administration Hospital from 1965 through 1973 had advanced lesions - tumors attached to the mandible and/or more than 3 cm in size. These patients were treated by primary radical neck dissection, en bloc excision, and segmental mandibulectomy. A cervical-pectoral flap combination was used for reconstruction. The functional and cosmetic results were excellent. Patient survival and cure rate compare favorably with other series. We emphasize the need for wide initial resection with immediate reconstruction.