[Infrahyoid musculo-cutaneous flap in head and neck reconstructions]

Background reconstructive surgery with infrahyoid musculo-cutaneous flap is the procedure used in head and neck cancer from the 80 years XX century. Technique of that operation was designed and described by Wang in 1979. Nowadays it is used in reconstructions after resection of the tongue and floor of the mouth. The flap is formed by infrahyoid muscles and skin island. It's pedicled on the superior thyroid vessels and superior root of ansa cervicalis. The most important contraindication is multiple metastases on the side of the neck unilateral to the designed flap. The relative contraindication is previous radiotherapy.

The introduction of this method to the practice and assessment of the early results.

5 patients underwent the treatment (floor of the mouth, tongue, oropharynx resection because of malignancy). In 1 patient the flap was used in esophageal reconstruction after iatrogenic rupture. Reconstruction technique according to Wang was performed. Clinical observation of the patients to asses the early results has been conducted.

Preliminary results of treatment among 6 patients are as follows: necrosis was found in 2 patients (total necrosis of flap in 1 case, partial in 1 case). Speech and swallowing restoration was satisfactory in four patients.

The procedure using the infrahyoid flap provide the satisfactory reconstruction of the anterior part of the oral cavity and oropharynx. The technique is simple and not time consuming. The infrahyoid flap can be recommended in elderly or in poor general condition patients descending the surgery time as short as possible.