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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
Coronoid-Temporalis Pedicled Flap for Orbital Floor Defect Reconstruction
Published on: December 5, 2025
Reconstruction of segmental hemi-mandibular defects using soft tissue flaps in patients with severe comorbidity and
Jean-Pierre Jeannon1, Ahmad Orabi, Mark McGurk
1The Departments of Ear Nose & Throat-Head / Neck Surgery, Guy's & St Thomas'NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Background And Purpose:
The standard of care to reconstruct segmental oro-mandibular defects following head and neck oncological resection is to use osseocutaneous free-tissue transfer. Some patients however are not suitable for this type of complex reconstruction. The purpose of this paper is to study our results of soft-tissue flap reconstruction for segmental hemi-mandibular defects.
Patients And Methods:
Ten patients were included in the study, all had advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx or oral cavity and all had hemimandibulectomies.
Results:
In eight cases a vertical rectus abdominis myocutaneous (VRAM) free flap was used and in two cases a pectoralis major myocutaneous pedicled flap was used. Normal oral feeding was achieved in six patients with a mean time for discontinuation of tube feeding of 18 days.
Conclusion:
In selected patients with severe comorbidity and advanced oro-mandibular cancer, soft tissue flaps may be used for segmental hemi-mandibular defects.
Key Words:
Oral cavity cancer - Free tissue transfer.