[Reconstruction of oropharyngeal defects with lateral arm flap]

The lateral arm flap, is a fasciocutaneous flap with great versatility, but underused in head and neck reconstruction. Its qualities include a intermediate thickness between the radial forearm flap and the pectoralis major, ideal to reconstruct oropharyngeal defect, a consistent vascular pedicle, a pliable soft tissue and a low donor site morbidity. Use of this flap does not require the sacrificing of a major feeding vessel to the arm. We have chosen this technique to reconstruct four cases with surgical defects in oral cavity and oropharynx. The anatomic and functional results have been satisfactory and the complications rate is comparable to other microvascular techniques. We think that the lateral arm free flap is a useful reconstructive technique in specific areas of head and neck.